Oct 29, 2010COPE Pick Of The Day: Ward 3 GOTV Blitz
Union volunteers are set to blitz Ward 3 in the District at 10A today and again on Saturday to help get out the vote for labor-endorsed candidate Mary Cheh, reports Metro Council Assistant Legislative and Political Coordinator Alya Solomon. “We will be distributing literature...
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Oct 29, 2010In Memoriam: Diana Pappas, Wife of CWA 2336 Leader
“It is with deep sadness that I must report the death of Diana Pappas, wife of longtime activist – and former CWA 2336 President and Council Executive Board member – James Pappas,” says Metro Council President Jos Williams. “Jim and his family are in our thoughts and prayers and I...
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Oct 29, 2010Walking Through DC History For Justice
"Learning history through place is a great idea,” said AFSCME 2910 President Saul Schneiderman after last Saturday’s DC Labor History Walk. Twenty labor history buffs, seasoned activists and newbies participated in the 2-hour walking tour of more than a dozen downtown DC labor history...
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Oct 28, 2010DC Nurses Take Medstar Fight To Baltimore
As dignitaries cut ribbons inside the gleaming new $175 million Patient Care Tower, more than a hundred nurses from the Washington Hospital Center lined the street outside the Franklin Square Health Center in Rosedale, just outside Baltimore. “It’s about patient care,” registered nurse...
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Oct 28, 2010Musicians Play "Live" To Demand Restoration Of Nutcracker Orchestra
Area union musicians will stage a unique rally and mini-concert this afternoon to press for restoration of live music at this year’s performances of “The Nutcracker” by the Washington Ballet. A brass ensemble will accompany the announcement of a campaign urging Washington Ballet...
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Oct 28, 2010COPE Pick Of The Day: St. Mary's County Phone Bank
Volunteers will be making phone calls to union members in St. Mary’s County today between 5:30P and 8P; call Mary McHugh at 301-373-8825 or email mmchugh@iamaw.org for more information and to register to volunteer. There are just over four days left until the November 2 general...
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Oct 28, 2010Online Directory Updated
IATSE Local 487 – which represents motion picture and television studios and producers, including Paramount, Warner, Universal, HBO, and others – has new contact information, which has been updated in the Metro Washington Council’s online directory of local affiliates. Click here...
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Oct 27, 2010COPE Pick Of The Day: PG County Labor Walk
With just 5 days to go before Election Day – Tuesday, November 2 – area union members are ramping up get out the vote activities in a final push to help elect labor-endorsed candidates. Volunteers will knock on doors and distribute literature in Prince George’s County today...
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Oct 27, 2010Nurses & Musicians Hit Streets
Area nurses and musicians are hitting the streets in the metro area this week in two separate actions. Washington Hospital Center nurses will hold an informational picket at WHC owner Medstar's Franklin Square Hospital Center at 10A today in Baltimore. The nurses want MedStar to “stop...
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Oct 27, 2010"Better Choices Campaign" Looks To Fund DC Forward
With District services already slashed past the bone and "down to the marrow" according to Council Chair – and putative Mayor – Vince Gray, labor advocates and their allies are launching a campaign tonight to preserve important public services during the budget crisis. “A...
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Oct 27, 2010Labor In The News: "Has America Turned On Organized Labor?"
Channel 8's Bruce DePuyt discusses whether “America has turned on organized labor” with Metro Council President Jos Williams on a NewsTalk broadcast that aired live yesterday. Click here to view the segment online on TBD.
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Oct 27, 2010Rewarding "Outstanding" DC Government Workers
With government workers across the region being targeted for layoffs and cutbacks, the Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation Awards for Distinguished District of Columbia Employees are a welcome breath of fresh air. “As members of the DC community, we are fortunate to have countless...
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Oct 26, 2010Campaign To Preserve DC Public Services To Launch Thursday
Labor and community advocates will hold a press conference Thursday to launch a campaign to raise progressive taxes to preserve important public services in the District during the current budget crisis. “Important investments that the city has made in schools, libraries, rec centers, and...
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Oct 26, 2010COPE Pick Of The Day
So much political activity to do, and just six days to go before Election Day, where should you plug in to be most effective? You can always check our political calendar postings , updated daily with the latest phone banks, walks and other activities. Plus, each day through Election Day,...
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Oct 26, 2010Using The Carrot To Win Paid Sick Days
If you haven’t participated in a Carrotmob yet, now’s your chance. Essentially a reverse boycott, Carrotmob – which comes from the idea of using “the carrot and not the stick” -- channels customers to companies that take socially responsible actions. The DC Employment Justice...
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Oct 26, 2010Local AFTRA-SAG Member Up For Grammy
“We are pleased to congratulate AFTRA member Tom Moore as a finalist for Grammy nominations!” reports Washington/Baltimore AFTRA-SAG. “Tom is a jazz-pop vocalist and is up for nominations in the categories of Best Traditional Pop Album (‘Restless Journey’), Best Male Pop Vocal...
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Oct 25, 2010Labor Goes All Out In MD For O'Malley And Brown
Hundreds of union members in Montgomery, Tri-County and Prince George's Counties rallied in support of Martin O'Malley for Governor and Anthony Brown for Lt. Governor on Saturday, reports Metro Washington Council Legislative and Political Coordinator Rick Powell. “Saturday's rallies were...
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Oct 25, 2010Beyond Marches And Rallies
Creative, strategic direct action has been one of the key pillars of DC Jobs with Justice since its inception. Sometimes we have to disrupt business as usual. Local coalitions have organized sip-ins at restaurants to support wait staff, drive-throughs at airports to support airline workers,...
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Oct 25, 2010"Working Lunch" Videos Available Online
Working Lunch , the DC Labor FilmFest’s 2010 compilation of eight short videos about labor, is now available online. The 24-minute collection includes three music videos, a brief documentary on janitors, and a scathingly funny video about “captive audience” meetings. The shorts...
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Oct 25, 2010Online Union Shop Updated
A brand-new union shop is available to provide sound for meetings, demonstrations and more. Capital City Sound has just been added to the Metro Council's online Union Shop, where you can also quickly locate area union businesses and vendors from grocery stores and hotels to printers,...
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Oct 25, 2010EJC's 10th Anniversary Photos Now Online
Pictures from the DC Employment Justice Center's September 28 10th Anniversary Labor Day Dinner are now available online. "The dinner was a great success," says the EJC. "More than 360 attendees came together to celebrate the EJC's ten years of results for workplace justice!" Click here...
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Oct 22, 2010Edwards & Brown Headline Labor Breakfast Rally Saturday
Congresswoman Donna Edwards and Maryland Lt. Governor Anthony Brown (below, second from left) will headline Saturday’s Labor Breakfast rally in Prince George's County. "Prince George's County is my home county," Brown tells Union City, "I want to personally thank the union members who...
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Oct 22, 2010A Stroll Through DC's Labor History
What better way to enjoy tomorrow’s gorgeous autumn weather than a stroll through downtown Washington on the DC Labor History Walking Tour? The 2-hour walk, led by Metro Council Union Cities Coordinator Chris Garlock (r), benefits DC Jobs with Justice. “It’s a great way to explore the...
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Oct 22, 2010In Memoriam: AFSCME 2091 Member Larry Hutchins
Longtime D.C. sanitation worker Larry Hutchins (r), a member of AFSCME Local 2091, was killed on the job October 13, when a man fired shots outside a Department of Public Works facility as trash collectors were preparing to start their rounds. Hutchins, 51, of Suitland, was standing with other...
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Oct 21, 2010Is There A Doctor In The House?
Jailed DC youth are under attack by lame duck Mayor Fenty, say local healthcare unions. The Department of Youth and Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) plans to eliminate medical doctors at New Beginnings and the Youth Services Center on October 22, reports Vanessa Dixon of the Doctor’s Council....
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Oct 21, 2010Plame And Wilson Urge Action At "Fair Game" Screening
Unless Karl Rove snuck in, there wasn’t a dry eye in the Silver Theater Tuesday night as more than 400 DC Labor FilmFest attendees gave Valerie Plame (l, with FilmFest Director Chris Garlock), Joe Wilson and Doug Liman a standing ovation at the Closing Night screening of Fair Game. The new...
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Oct 21, 2010Gray Says Lawbreakers Should Lose Contracts
“Amid a packed house at Ward 1’s Townhall meeting Tuesday, presumptive DC Mayor Vince Gray made a bold commitment to construction workers at rebar subcontractor Wings Enterprises,” reports DC Jobs with Justice’s Ruth Castel-Branco. “In response to a question by the Justice at Wings...
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Oct 21, 2010Upcoming Labor-To-Labor GOTV Activities
Area union members and labor activists are continuing to make phone calls and canvass local neighborhoods in a push to help elect labor-endorsed candidates in the upcoming November 2 General Election. Get out the vote activities press on today and continue through the weekend with a...
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Oct 20, 2010This Just In: "Fair Game" Closes DC Labor FilmFest
A packed screening of the new political thriller "Fair Game" -- with director Doug Liman, Ambassador Joe Wilson and former CIA agent Valerie Plame Wilson attending the red carpet DC premiere -- closed out the 10th annual DC Labor FilmFest last night at the AFI in Silver Spring. Watch for a...
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Oct 20, 2010Political Action Hot Topic At October Council Meeting
With the mid-term elections just two weeks away, political action dominated the agenda at Monday’s Metro Council Executive Board and delegate meetings. Labor is in the field and on the phones throughout the metro Washington area, supporting candidates who back working men and women. The...
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Oct 20, 2010Helping CSA Help Others
This year the Community Services Agency has helped over 300 union families with emergency assistance, provided job training and placement to over 200 area low-income residents through the Building Futures program, supported over 200 local workers on strike, provided holiday baskets for 75 area...
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Oct 20, 2010Labor History Walk Saturday
Saturday's DC Labor History Walk is filling up quickly, with over 20 already signed up. The walk benefits DC Jobs with Justice and offers a unique opportunity for labor history buffs. From the Labor Hall of Fame to Joe Hill's ashes, worker's history is around just about every corner in...
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Oct 20, 2010District Of Columbia Voter Information 2010
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
The below information is from the DC Board of Elections & Ethics . General Election Date- November 2, 2010 Click here now for information on the following: - Register to Vote in DC - Update your Registration Info - Re-print Previous Voter...
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Oct 19, 2010Labor FilmFest Wraps Up Tonight
The final two screenings at this year's DC Labor FilmFest are tonight at the AFI. The DC Premiere of Fair Game (r) -- with director Doug Liman, Valerie Plame and Joe Wilson -- is the FilmFest's Closing Night show at 7P. Tickets are $15 for union members and the show is expected to sell-out;...
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Oct 19, 2010In Memoriam: Newspaper Guild's David Eisen Dies
David J. Eisen (r), 85, a former newspaper reporter in New York and New Jersey who spent nearly 35 years working for the Newspaper Guild in Washington, died Sept. 16. He moved to the Washington area in the early 1960s to work for the guild and served as editor of the Guild Reporter, and...
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Oct 18, 2010Metro Council Delegate Meeting Tonight
Don't miss tonight's Metro Washington Council delegate meeting , jam-packed with the latest updates on the local labor movement, including the very latest on local labor activities in the upcoming November 2 general election. Also, reports from the Community Services Agency, Union City...
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Oct 18, 2010GOTV Walks & Phones Roll On
Local activists looking to plug into labor GOTV efforts can join ongoing labor walks in Montgomery, Prince George’s County and Calvert counties, or sign up for the AFL-CIO phonebank -- M-TH 1-8P, FR 1-4P -- which has made over 10,000 member contacts so far. Secretary-Treasurer Liz...
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Oct 18, 2010Learning Bargaining Strategy & More At Labor College
Learn how to develop effective bargaining strategy and how to write contract language in the National Labor College’s Negotiating and Writing Contract Language course, one of several coming up next month. Click here for the complete Fall schedule. Also on tap: Greening the...
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Oct 18, 2010In Memoriam: Labor Lobbyist & Basketball Star Jack Sullivan Dies
Retired labor lobbyist Jack Sullivan (r), 75, died Sept. 16. The 6-foot-4 native Washingtonian had a stellar college and pro basketball career before becoming a Secret Service agent. His labor career began in 1981 as director of government relations to the International Brotherhood of...
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Oct 18, 2010CSA Makes A Difference For Homeless Union Member
Among those assisted by the Community Services Agency this week is a Teamsters 639 member who’s been locked out in the ongoing Veolia strike and is now homeless. “She’s got a daughter and has been moving around from place to place,” says CSA Executive Director Kathleen McKirchy. “She...
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Oct 18, 2010FilmFest Continues
The 2010 DC Labor FilmFest continues tonight with screenings of The Informant! (7P, below) and Louise-Michel (9:15P) and wraps up tomorrow night with the closing night showing of Fair Game , starring Naomi Watts and Sean Penn, with special appearances by director Doug...
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Oct 15, 201010TH Annual Labor FilmFest Launches Tonight
The 10th annual DC Labor FilmFest officially launches tonight with screenings of the black comedy Louise-Michel (r), in which the laid-off women workers of a provincial toy factory in France take out a hit on their boss and Gigante , about an obsessed supermarket security guard in a...
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Oct 15, 2010Metro Council Delegate Meeting Monday
Don't miss Monday's Metro Washington Council delegate meeting , jam-packed with the latest updates on the local labor movement, including the very latest on local labor activities in the upcoming November 2 general election. Also, reports from the Community Services Agency, Union City...
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Oct 15, 2010Job Tracker A Huge Hit
Working America’s astonishing – and sobering – Job Tracker launched so successfully last week that the site was temporarily overwhelmed with traffic. The brand-new website exposes which companies are guilty of outsourcing jobs, as well as which have safety and health violations....
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Oct 14, 2010Labor Walks For O'Malley Saturday
Labor’s walking for Maryland Governor O’Malley (right) in Montgomery , Prince George’s , Charles and Calvert counties this Saturday. “The weather’s projected to be perfect,” says Maryland State and District of Columbia AFL-CIO Political Director Denise Riley,...
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Oct 14, 2010Labor FilmFest Celebrates First Decade
“Starting something new is hard, but the real challenge is sustaining it,” write DC Labor FilmFest Co-Chairs Jos Williams (left) and Mark Dudzic (right) in this year’s FilmFest program guide. “So we are proud – and perhaps just a little bit amazed – to celebrate the 10th...
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Oct 14, 2010Local Activists Host USLAW Fundraiser
Nancy Wohlforth, Brooks Sunkett, Bob Muehlenkamp, and Gene Bruskin, DC-based Co-convenors of U.S. Labor Against the War are hosting a special fundraiser this Saturday, October 16 at 7p. Organizers promise "Refreshments, good company and entertainment," and a slide show 'Why are We in...
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Oct 14, 2010Walking Tour Explores DC Labor History
From the Labor Hall of Fame to Joe Hill’s ashes, worker’s history is around just about every corner in our nation’s capitol, if you know where to look. Metro Washington Council Union Cities Coordinator Chris Garlock (right) - who usually helps local and national activists make history on...
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Oct 13, 2010Shuler Kicks Off Labor FilmFest
AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler (right) kicked off the 2010 DC Labor FilmFest Tuesday with a free noontime screening of Working Lunch, the DC Labor FilmFest’s 30-minute compilation of short films about labor. “I’m a big movie buff,” said Shuler, “and film and video is one of...
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Oct 13, 2010CSA's "News You Can Use": Deadline Looms for Stop-Loss Retro Pay
More than 100,000 eligible veterans, active duty, guard, and reserve troops haven’t claimed $324 million in retroactive pay they’re owed. The deadline to apply for this retroactive pay is October 21, and all eligible service members -- which may include area union members or their family...
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Oct 13, 2010New Jobs Site Questioned
A new jobs board website is not only ripping off UnionJobs.com but is posting advertisements for building and construction trades training that lead to non-union operations. The new site -- UnionJobBoard.com -- apparently grabbed the majority of its initial job announcements directly from...
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Oct 12, 2010Shuler Kicks Off Labor FilmFest Today
AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler kicks off the 2010 DC Labor FilmFest today at a free noontime screening of the FilmFest’s 30-minute “Working Lunch” compilation of short films about labor. From the 1-minute Photo Booth (“It's a lonely job, but someone's got to do...
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Oct 12, 2010Building Futures Project Marks 100 Placements
The Community Services Agency's pre-apprenticeship training program recently celebrated a major milestone as its 100th graduate secured employment in the building trades. The achievement underlines the program's success in placing newly-trained workers despite the ongoing economic crisis....
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Oct 12, 2010Linking Poverty And Educational Achievement
“The IMPACT model for evaluating teacher performance is very numerically based,” says Washington Post columnist Courtland Milloy in a recent interview with journalist and social activist Pete Tucker. “It fails to recognize the artistry involved in teaching which cannot be captured on...
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Oct 8, 2010Washington Hospital Nurses Join NNU
Registered nurses in Washington D.C.’s largest civilian hospital, Washington Hospital Center, have voted to join National Nurses United, the nation’s largest union and professional association of RNs. Nearly 1,600 WHC nurses who have been in the independent organization Nurses United of...
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Oct 8, 2010Norton Expects Project Labor Agreements To Boost Jobs For D.C. Residents
Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC, right) said yesterday that she expected the General Services Administration (GSA) award of three Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) on federal projects in the District of Columbia to enhance her efforts to ensure the employment of D.C. residents on the...
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Oct 8, 2010Shuler Kicks Off Labor FilmFest Tuesday
AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler will kick off the 2010 DC Labor FilmFest Tuesday at a free noontime screening of the FilmFest's 30-minute "Working Lunch" compilation of short films about labor. From the 1-minute Photo Booth ("It's a lonely job, but someone's got to do it")...
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Oct 8, 2010Anna Lee & Con Carbon Win One Nation Photo Contest
Congrats to One Nation photo contest winner Anna Lee, who sent in this winning shot from last Saturday's rally, and who wins a pair of passes to the upcoming DC Labor FilmFest . Honorable Mention (and a pair of FilmFest passes) to Con Carbon, who put together a cool One Nation photoshow...
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Oct 7, 2010Labor Turning Out For Obama Rally Today
President Barack Obama will be at Bowie State University today to support Governor O'Malley and Maryland’s Democratic agenda. Doors open at 1p -- 14000 Jericho Park Road, Bowie, Maryland 20715 -- and tickets are not required. “Please get the word out to your membership and do everything...
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Oct 7, 2010Online Council Directory Updated
AFGE Local 25 - which represents workers at the US Department of Veterans Affairs - has new contact information, which has been updated in the Metro Washington Council's online directory of local affiliates. Click here now to search for Local 25's information – including mailing...
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Oct 7, 2010Who Killed Chea Vichea?
Join area union members for a special preview screening - sponsored by the AFL-CIO, the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance and the Solidarity Center – of Who Killed Chea Vichea? at 5:30P today at the AFL-CIO, featuring a discussion with Producer Rich Garella. Chea Vichea, President...
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Oct 6, 2010Capitol Visitor Center Workers Testify In Congress
Capitol Visitor Center (CVC) guides really know their way around Congress. The newly-unionized CVC workers wasted no time exercising their voice at work, testifying last week about workplace safety issues at the Capitol. Megan Burger, a CVC tour guide and member of AFSCME Local 658, testified...
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Oct 6, 2010FilmFest Tix On Sale Now!
Tickets for the 10th annual DC Labor FilmFest - set for October 15-19 at the American Film Insitute -- have just gone on sale. Click here to reserve yours now and guarantee a seat at the best show in town!
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Oct 6, 2010Local Unions Sponsor Weekday Walks For O'Malley
With less than a month to go before Election Day, labor is ramping up its door-to-door efforts for Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley (center) in Prince George's County. Local unions are now sponsoring weekday labor-to-labor walks, including UFCW Local 400, which has been turning out dozens of...
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Oct 6, 2010Labor On The Move: APALA's Uno Moves to DOL, Allan In As Interim Deputy Director
Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA) Executive Director Malcolm Amado Uno (r) joined the Department of Labor as a Special Assistant to the Secretary with the Office of Public Engagement on Monday. "As a product of APALA and the labor movement, I always considered it a privilege...
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Oct 5, 2010MD AG Asks PG County Exec To Help Resolve Bus Strike
Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler yesterday asked Prince George’s County Executive Jack Johnson to help resolve the Teamsters strike against Veolia Transportation. Noting that the Teamsters had offered last Friday to return to work while bargaining for a new contract continued, Gansler...
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Oct 5, 2010MCGEO, Others Blister Plan To "Forgive" $450,000 In Taxes For Lockheed Martin
The Montgomery County Council withdrew a proposal to “forgive” some $450,000 in taxes for Lockheed Martin after a parade of eight witnesses, including Local 1994 MCGEO President Gino Renne, bashed the idea as corporate welfare in a Council hearing on September 21st. “Shame on those who...
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Oct 5, 2010Rained-Out Union Golfers Find Way To Win
Although the Community Services Agency’s annual golf tournament was rained out yesterday for the second time, the hardy group of golfers who showed up at the Enterprise Golf Course enjoyed a warm breakfast and union camaraderie while they watched the Ryder Cup. They were rewarded with passes...
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Oct 5, 2010Trades Newsletter Jolt Of Caffeine
“Wake up and smell the coffee,” urges Washington Building and Construction Trades Council Executive Secretary- Treasurer Vance Ayres in the September edition of the Council’s newsletter . Ayres urges support for labor-endorsed candidates and Democrats, noting that “We might not be...
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Oct 5, 2010Free October Calendar Download
The October calendar from labor artist and activist Ricardo Levins Morales -- who also created the 2010 DC Labor FilmFest logo -- is now available for free download. Click here to get your free calendar, or click here to check out Morales’ website for his other artwork, including...
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Oct 4, 2010Voices From One Nation
Tens of thousands of activists from across the country rallied at the Lincoln Memorial Saturday in the One Nation demonstration. Click here for coverage on the AFL-CIO Now blog. Union City reporters Chris Garlock and Adam Wright collected a sampling of voices -- and snapshots -- from One...
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Oct 4, 2010Washington Hospital Imposes On Nurses
Nurses at Washington Hospital Center (WHC) are "furious" after the hospital unilaterally imposed its wage proposal Friday. "This is clearly punishment for our vote on joining National Nurses United" said Stephen Frum of Nurses United of the National Capital Region. The hospital is effectively...
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Oct 4, 2010"Scabby The Rat" Makes Front Page News
"A labor union in Washington will on occasion be upset with somebody," wrote reporter Monica Hesse in a front-page story in the Washington Post on Saturday. "Contract negotiations go awry. Nonunion workers get hired. At these moments, you need a symbol. You need something that is going to...
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Oct 2, 2010Scurrying Across The Picket Lines
Raising a big stink? Try the rat. Demand is high, so unions must plan ahead and pay to put 'Scabby' on the line By Monica Hesse Washington Post Staff Writer Friday, October 1, 2010; 9:20 PM
The rat is down.
It's the motor, Doug Webber thinks. Something is wrong with the rat's...
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Oct 1, 2010EMD Sales Workers Join UFCW 400
Workers at EMD Sales voted to join UFCW Local 400 yesterday. EMD distributes international foods, spices and kitchen utensils in the Mid Atlantic Region, and the workers are sales staff and merchandizers for the company. The 20-13 vote "sends a clear message to the management of EMD Sales that...
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Oct 1, 2010Gray Pledges Support For Historic Jobs Rally
“This rally is about putting our city’s residents and people all across America back to work,” said DC City Council Chairman Vince Gray (r) at yesterday’s One Nation Working Together press conference at the Wilson Building. “I see it as an effort to support those things that...
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Oct 1, 2010Checking Out "The People's DC"
With thousands of out-of-town visitors as well as locals expected downtown for tomorrow’s One Nation rally, it’s a good time to check out the online DC Labor Map! Whether you’re looking for a good union hotel or restaurant or interested in exploring DC’s many labor history sites...
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Sep 30, 2010One Nation Demo Updates
Two more labor-sponsored events have been added to the growing list of labor activities as part of Saturday’s One Nation Working Together march on Washington, where thousands of people from across America will rally on the National Mall to “build a more united country with good...
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Sep 30, 2010Arlington Joins DC In Rejecting "Secure Communities"
Arlington joined DC yesterday in rejecting the controversial "Secure Communities" program. With passage of a similar measure in Santa Clara, CA on the same day, national momentum looks to be building against the program. Calling Secure Communities "a pattern of measures that seek to score...
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Sep 30, 2010FilmFest Volunteers Wanted
Don’t miss your chance to be a part of the 2010 DC Labor FilmFest! With the 10th annual DC Labor FilmFest kicking off in just a few weeks - scheduled for October 15 to 19 - organizers are seeking volunteers to help staff screenings at the AFI Silver Theatre in Silver Spring,...
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Sep 29, 2010Employment Justice Center Celebrates Decade Of Worker Justice
Calling it "a tribute to our 37,000 members' activism, and to their commitment to justice, equity and dignity for all workers," UFCW Local 400 President Tom McNutt accepted the DC Employment Justice Center's (EJC) Labor Partner of the Year Award last night at the EJC's 10th anniversary...
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Sep 29, 2010Historic "One Nation" Rally Gains Momentum
As tens of thousands of people from across America prepare to gather on Washington’s National Mall this Saturday to rally for “a new economy based on secure jobs, justice and quality education,” labor promises to represent with a half dozen activities already planned prior to...
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Sep 29, 2010"The Man Behind The Labor Film Movement"
“Film is a great communication medium, because everyone loves a movie,” says DC Labor FilmFest Director Chris Garlock, who calls labor films “great organizing and mobilizing tools” in the Machinists News Network’s video report on “ The Man Behind the Labor Film Movement...
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Sep 28, 2010Big Agenda For DC COPE
Coming off the recent wins in the DC primary, the DC COPE has a lot to discuss at its next meeting on Tuesday, October 12 “including the big win for all labor endorsed candidates in the September Primary Election and labor's strategy leading up to the general election,” reports DC...
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Sep 28, 2010Online Directory/Union Shop Updated
Whether you’re looking for the new contact information for AFGE Local 2782 or trying to find a union caterer for your next event, your search is over! Click here now to look up the new mailing address and contact information for AFGE 2782 – which represents workers at the US Census...
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Sep 27, 2010"Restore Our Hours!" Demand NASW Staff
More than a dozen social workers, researchers and office staff rallied outside the National Association of Social Workers in the District’s northeast at noon on Friday, chanting “NASW – Restore Our Hours” and waving signs that read “80% Salary Doesn’t Pay 100% Of The Bills!” The...
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Sep 27, 2010Labor Launches Local GOTV Campaign
“These next 40 days are critically important to ensuring our state moves forward – not backward,” Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley (above, at right) said to hundreds of area union members who attended last Friday’s Maryland State and District of Columbia AFL-CIO’s official 2010...
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Sep 27, 2010Free FilmFest Screenings Launch
Union Privilege hosted the first DC Labor FilmFest Working Lunch screening Friday. “These ‘working lunches’ are a great way to keep UP staff apprised of labor movement happenings, how it’s perceived and what we can all be doing as working people and organizations to support...
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Sep 27, 2010NoVA Construction Workers Win Back Pay
Over 100 Northern Virginia construction workers are collecting $36,944 they’re owed by contractors who didn’t pay prevailing wages. The underpayments by a dozen contractors on the Dulles Metrorail Extension Project were exposed by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Inspector General...
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Sep 24, 2010Free Food & More At Maryland GOTV Rally Tonight
Free food and plenty of face time with elected officials highlight tonight’s Maryland GOTV rally kicking off at 6P at the ATU 689 union hall. Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley (r), Lt. Governor Anthony Brown (l) and a host of labor-endorsed Maryland politicians will schmooze with...
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Sep 24, 2010Public Employees Federation Digs Deep
Delegates at the New York State Public Employees Federation’s annual convention donated $2,368 to the Community Services Agency’s Emergency Assistance Fund on September 15. “You are really the Generous People,” said CSA Executive Director Kathleen McKirchy (at left) – playing...
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Sep 24, 2010Volunteer To Teach English For Workers Rights
DC Jobs with Justice is beginning its fall ESL for Day Laborers program, which brings basic English lessons to day laborers at the Home Depot on Rhode Island Ave NE. The innovative program focuses on words and phrases that will help workers negotiate with employers, protect themselves on the...
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Sep 23, 2010Musicians Decry "Nutcracker" Canned Music
The Washington Ballet is planning to serve up "canned" music at "The Nutcracker" ballet again this year, reports the local musician's union. Nutcracker patrons "will be paying full price for half the product," says D.C. Federation of Musicians Local 161-710 President John Cusick. Union members...
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Sep 23, 2010Golf Tourney Registration Deadline Friday
We're on the 18th green and time's almost up to register for the 15th Annual Community Services Agency Golf Tournament, scheduled for this coming Monday, September 27 at the Enterprise Golf Course in Mitchellville, Maryland. "Teams must have their registration forms in by close of...
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Sep 23, 2010Labor FilmFest "Reinvigorates My Work For Justice"
The DC Labor FilmFest “doesn't just educate or entertain me,” says Korey Hartwich, “it reminds me what I'm fighting for and reinvigorates my work for justice.” What’s your favorite thing about the FilmFest? Click here to tell us and you’ll be entered in a raffle for free...
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Sep 23, 2010Sharing Union City
Now you can easily share Union City stories using your favorite social media networks, such as Twitter, Facebook, My Space and dozens more! Look for the "sharethis" link at the top of each archived news article on the Metro Washington Council's website and simply click on the icon that...
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Sep 22, 2010Security Workers Urge Fenty To "Obey Contracting Laws"
Charging that Mayor Fenty is circumventing the City Council's review processes and is putting city residents at risk, dozens of security officers and members of SEIU Local 32BJ rallied outside the Wilson Building at noon yesterday demanding that the Mayor “obey the city’s contracting...
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Sep 22, 2010Celebrating Wins, Continuing The Struggle
The mood was celebratory at Monday’s Metro Council meeting, with victories in last week’s primaries -- especially Vince Gray’s in the District -- to savor ( click here to see how labor-endorsed candidates fared), as well as contract wins at the Washington Convention Center by IBEW...
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Sep 22, 2010Texting For Transit
People march on Washington all the time. Today, ATU, TWU and Operation PUSH are sponsoring a "Text on Washington" in support of mass transit. You can join in right now by texting to 69-866 or emailing text@ourride.org The Save Our Ride messages will be displayed on a giant JumboTron in...
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Sep 21, 2010Employment Justice Center Celebrates First Decade
Tickets are on sale now for the DC Employment Justice Center’s 10th Anniversary Labor Day Dinner, celebrating “10 years of successful advocacy on behalf of working people.” Awardees at this year’s dinner – scheduled for Tuesday, September 28, 6:45P at the Capitol Hilton...
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Sep 21, 2010Online Council Directory Updated
Plumbers Local 5 - which represents more than 1,600 craftsmen in the metro area - has new contact information, which has been updated in the Metro Washington Council's online directory of local affiliates. Click here now to search for Local 5's new email address and to find the...
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Sep 21, 2010One Nation March Updates
Free transportation to the October 2 One Nation Working Together March and Rally is available: call 410-318-6190 for free transportation for groups and individuals. And for those who can’t make it to the Mall, watch it live on Free Speech TV (FSTV) with hosts Thom Hartmann and Laura...
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Sep 21, 2010Union Voice: Readers Write: Thanks for the Kudos
We received many congratulatory notes about Union City’s 2010 Best Electronic Newsletter award from ILCA ( Union City Wins Top Newsletter Award 9/9 UC ) but perhaps our favorite was the to-the-point missive from Roger Toussaint, who simply wrote “You are the best, no bs!” Noting...
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Sep 20, 2010Capital Visitor Center Staff Vote In Union
Tour guides and visitor assistants at the Capitol Visitor Center took a big step closer to improving working conditions after overwhelmingly voting for union representation on Thursday and Friday, reports AFSCME Council 26 Executive Director Carl Goldman. “This sends an unmistakably strong...
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Sep 20, 2010Metro Council Delegate Meeting Tonight
Don’t miss tonight’s Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO delegate meeting, jam-packed with the latest updates on the local labor movement. Reports on the DC and Maryland primary elections, the Community Services Agency, Union City and updates on the 2010 DC Labor FilmFest highlight...
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Sep 20, 2010Free College Planning Workshop For Union Families
Do you -- or your members -- have questions and concerns about preparing for and getting into college? As part of the launch to the new Union Plus College Prep Program, Union Plus is sponsoring a free workshop for union members, staff and their families in the Washington, DC area....
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Sep 17, 2010Labor FilmFest Faves
This year the DC Labor FilmFest is celebrating a decade of bringing films about work and workers to the silver screen. What’s your favorite thing about the DC Labor FilmFest? Click here to tell us and you’ll be entered in a raffle for free tickets to this year’s FilmFest, set for...
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Sep 17, 2010Labor Golf Tourney Slots Almost Full
“There’s still time left to register your team, but be quick because slots are almost full,” reports Community Services Agency Executive Director Kathleen McKirchy, noting that the annual fundraiser – scheduled for Monday, September 27 – is only ten days away. “It's a beautiful...
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Sep 17, 2010Labor On The Move: Paul Gordon To Retire
Paul Gordon of the Public Affairs Department is retiring today. Prior to his 20-year stint as a speechwriter at the AFL-CIO, Gordon worked for Sen. Paul Simon (D-Ill)., Rep. Howard Wolpe (D-Mich.) and Rep. Bill Coyne (D-Pa.). A retirement party will be held in the Murray-Green/Lewis...
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Sep 16, 2010Labor Notches Big Win With Gray Victory
“The real winners Tuesday were the District’s working men and women,” said Metro Council President Jos Williams in the wake of Vincent Gray’s (r) primary victory over incumbent Adrian Fenty. The Council had coordinated labor support for the challenger over the well-funded Fenty, whose...
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Sep 16, 2010Maryland Caregivers Rally For Safe Staffing, Better Jobs
Facing an “intense fear campaign” by management, nursing home caregivers at Summit Park Health and Rehabilitation Center rallied in Catonsville, Maryland yesterday in their latest push for a fair contract. “Despite working hard everyday, we can’t provide the care our residents deserve...
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Sep 16, 2010Live Chat Today With Rich & Liz
On the one-year anniversary of their election as the AFL-CIO's top leadership team, Trumka, Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler and Executive Vice President Arlene Holt Baker will respond to your questions in a live Web chat today at 4p EST. The AFL-CIO officers will discuss the union...
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Sep 16, 2010How Labor Beat Mayor Fenty (Part 1)
The seeds of Adrian Fenty’s defeat on Tuesday were planted in the cold, dark days of January. Despite the prevailing political winds that said the hard-driving mayor who’d won every precinct in the city four years ago was a shoo-in for re-election, Metro Council President Jos Williams (at...
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Sep 16, 2010CSA's News You Can Use: Women Need to Prepare for Retirement
Did you know that two hours of your time could help you achieve a more secure future? Financial concerns of today keep many women from planning for the future — something always seems more urgent than retirement. The National Women's Law Center is offering a free retirement security webinar...
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Sep 16, 2010Do Elections Matter?
The Polluters, a newly published history of the chemical industry and the environment by local transit activist Ben Ross – who’ll be signing books this Thursday (see below), tells the story of an air pollution disaster that took place the weekend before the 1948 election, when Republican...
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Sep 15, 2010Labor Turns Out
Whether clad in their union colors or labor-endorsed candidate t-shirts, union activists stood up for area workers yesterday as local voters went to the polls. Working polls across the region from the pre-dawn darkness before polls opened to the evening hours when the last votes were cast, the...
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Sep 15, 2010BYOP At Bakery Rally This Morning
Bring your own pastries to this morning’s Bakery Workers rally. The Bakers and the AFL-CIO are rallying at 8:45A at the shareholder meeting of American Capital, protesting the firm’s investment strategy of leveraged buyouts. “High levels of debt can threaten workers’ jobs and...
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Sep 15, 2010Hotel Workers Prep For Battle
DC hotel workers are beginning to organize for possible job actions as contract negotiations drag on. The contract covering about 5,000 area hotel workers was set to expire today and was extended to October 8. Hotel companies are negotiating separately this time around, which is bogging down...
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Sep 15, 2010Striking Workers Declare Victory At Mott's
More than three months after walking out, the 300-plus workers at Mott’s upstate New York applesauce plant declared victory after ratifying a new contract Monday. The workers will return to work on Monday, Sept. 20, on what would have been the 121st day of the strike ( Mott's Strikers Take...
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Sep 14, 2010Labor Launches "Last & Final" Push For Gray In DC Mayoral Race
“This is the time when elections are decided,” American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten said to more than 100 union members at last night’s get-out-the-vote rally for Vince Gray at AFT headquarters. “People who live and survive in this city want a voice and for too...
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Sep 14, 2010Daycon Strikers Win NLRB Ruling
The striking workers at Daycon have won yet another ruling by the National Labor Relations Board, reports Teamsters Local 639, which represents the workers. The ruling that the 5-month-old strike is an Unfair Labor Practices strike "means that Daycon is liable for back wages since the strikers...
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Sep 14, 2010Chat With Rich & Liz
If you could ask AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka one question, what would it be? Now's your chance! On the one-year anniversary of their election as the AFL-CIO's top leadership team, Trumka, Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler and Executive Vice President Arlene Holt Baker will respond to your...
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Sep 14, 2010Labor On The Move: Simpson Turns Over Transit Local Political Issues To Lateefah Williams
ATU 689 Political & Legislative Director Craig Simpson (r) -- who has worked on political and legislative issues for many years for both the transit workers local as well as for the Metro Washington Council -- is retiring (again) and turning over the reins to Lateefah Williams, who will be...
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Sep 13, 2010Labor For Gray Today: Rally & Lit-Drop
With the DC mayoral campaign in its final hours, today’s main labor action is the Get-Out-The-Vote rally for Vince Gray today at 4P. Hosted by the American Federation of Teachers (555 New Jersey Ave., N.W.), next-door neighbors AFGE will also be turning out, and “All unions are...
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Sep 13, 2010Fenty Lays Off Docs At Youth Rehab Services
In what the District of Columbia Nurses Association (DCNA) calls “yet another wrong-headed move by the current Mayor and his administration,” the Department of Youth Rehabilitative Services (DYRS) recently announced lay offs of all doctors and physicians' assistants, leaving registered...
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Sep 13, 2010Labor FilmFest Offers Free Workplace Screenings
Bring the 10th annual DC Labor FilmFest to your workplace this year! Our “WORKING LUNCH: 6 Short Films About Labor” program was so popular last year that we’re putting together another brief collection of great labor shorts this year for free noontime screenings. Slots are available...
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Sep 10, 2010Metro AFL-CIO Urges Obama To "Put America Back To Work, Not Fenty"
The Metro Washington Council AFL-CIO launched a letter-writing campaign to the White House yesterday to urge President Obama to stay out of the DC Mayor’s race. “President Obama is working hard to save the jobs of millions of Americans – including record numbers of DC workers – but the...
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Sep 10, 2010Labor Day Mass Saturday
This Saturday the Archdiocese of Washington will continue its longtime tradition of holding a Labor Day Mass . Celebrated by The Most Reverend Donald Wuerl (r), Archbishop of Washington, at the Cathedral of St. Matthew, the special vigil mass will be attended by both national and local...
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Sep 10, 2010Labor In The News: Teamster Custodian's Contributions Honored
“Some men get buildings named after them; others, streets. Ron Hillyer is getting a hallway.” Hillyer (r), recently-retired D.C. school custodian and a member of Teamsters 639 for more than 25 years, is the focus of Theresa Vargas’ report in the September 2 Washington Post. “When...
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Sep 10, 2010Labor On The Move: Susan Fitzgerald Retires from NABET-CWA 31
Susan Fitzgerald is retiring from NABET-CWA Local 31 after more than 30 years under eight different elected administrations, most recently as the local's Administrative Assistant. "As the Administrative Secretary of this Local, Susan has assured the continuity of every day workings of our...
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Sep 9, 2010Union City Wins Top Newsletter Award
Union City has won first place as Best Electronic Newsletter in the International Labor Communications Association (ILCA) Labor Media Awards this year, the third consecutive award and the second time winning top honors. In 2008 Union City won as best State and Local Body publication and...
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Sep 9, 2010Watering The Seeds Of Unionism At Capitol Visitor Center
Capitol Visitor Center organizing committee members distributed water to CVC workers last weekend as part of their campaign for a union. "Dehydration is potentially a major issue for many of the workers," explains AFSCME Council 26 Executive Director Carl Goldman, noting that the CVC refused...
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Sep 9, 2010Transit Workers In The Spotlight
Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689 – an affiliate of the Metro Washington Council – has re-launched its “Member Spotlight” video series on the local’s website , highlighting the work that local transit workers perform and sharing their concerns and ideas. This...
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Sep 9, 2010Archbishop To Celebrate Labor Mass On Saturday
This Saturday, the Archdiocese of Washington will continue its annual tradition of holding a Mass for the Blessing of Human Labor during the weekend after Labor Day. Celebrated by The Most Reverend Donald Wuerhl, Archbishop of Washington, at the Cathedral of St. Matthew, the special 5:30P vigil...
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Sep 9, 2010The Brown Difference
Labor is helping get the word out that the 'Michael Brown' whose name is on the DC primary ballot is not the same Michael Brown who is already an At-Large Councilmember. DC Mayoral Candidate Vince Gray and Councilmember Michael A. Brown have "enthusiastically" endorsed At-Large...
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Sep 8, 2010Labor Enters Home Stretch For Gray
As area residents fired up grills and relaxed over the long Labor Day weekend, union activists knocked on more than 1,000 doors to get out the union vote in next Tuesday’s primaries. “The key to victory for labor-endorsed mayoral candidate Vince Gray is to identify our voters and bring...
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Sep 8, 2010People Of Faith Celebrate Restaurant Workers
Restaurant and food service workers were the main focus of this year’s Labor in the Pulpits/Labor on the Bimah program. Over Labor Day weekend, 27 local churches and more than 30 local Jewish congregations celebrated workers and labor during their services as part of the annual Labor in the...
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Sep 8, 2010More Than 300 Turn Out For NoVA Labor Day Picnic
More than 300 Northern Virginia union members and their families “enjoyed the food, fellowship and great weather,” at Monday’s NoVA Labor Day Picnic, reports NoVA Area Labor Federation President Dan Duncan. Also attending were Congressman Gerry Connolly, newly-elected VA AFL-CIO...
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Sep 7, 2010Trades Say King Memorial Building On Exploitation
Charging that work on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial is being "undercut and outsourced to low-wage workers from China," area building trades workers will handbill outside the MLK Memorial Foundation at 401 F Street, NW at 9A today, reports Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local...
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Sep 7, 2010"Film Rally" Tonight For Gray
Local filmmaker – and DC Labor Film Fest advisor -- Aviva Kempner will co-host a “Film Rally” for labor-endorsed mayoral candidate Vince Gray tonight at 8p at the Avalon Theatre . Kempner will screen her award-winning documentary, The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg (r),...
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Sep 7, 2010Labor On The Move: CWA To Merge 2 Area Districts:
CWA Districts 2 and 13 are merging into a new District that will have a combined membership of 45,000 CWA members in five states. The combined District – approved at the July CWA convention – “will allow more intensified attention to Union programs and functions, including more focused...
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Sep 7, 2010"Job's Not Done" Biodiesel Bus Tour Comes To Virginia
NoVA Area Labor Federation President Dan Duncan joined the Virginia Sustainable Building Network and the United Steelworkers at last week’s “The Job’s Not Done” bus tour stop in Springfield, Virginia. Part of a national effort by labor unions and environmental organizations...
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Sep 3, 2010DC Launches "One Nation" March Plans
"One Nation aims to put America back to work and recommit every person in America to the principles that this country was founded upon: freedom, justice and equality for all," said Metro Washington Council, AFL-CIO President Jos Williams (at left) at yesterday's official DC launch of the One...
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Sep 3, 2010Labor Hits DC Streets On Labor Day Weekend
Add to this weekend’s Labor Day parades and picnics another Labor Walk . Area union members and labor allies will distribute literature in Ward 4 in a Metro Washington Council-coordinated labor walk Saturday morning to help get out the vote for labor-endorsed candidates -- Phil...
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Sep 3, 2010IBEW Museum Added To Labor Map
A cool museum focusing on the history of the electrical worker's union has been added to the online DC Labor Map , which is chock full of great local labor sites – labor struggles, monuments, arts & more -- for friends or family visiting over the long Labor Day weekend....
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Sep 3, 2010This Month's Free Calendar Download
This month’s free calendar download from artist Ricardo Levins Morales -- who created this year’s DC Labor FilmFest logo -- publicizes Ethnic Studies Week, a nationally coordinated campaign organized by educators. “It was conceived as a response to recent laws and school...
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Sep 2, 2010Metro-Area Labor Day Activities
Celebrate America’s workers this weekend by showing your union pride at a number of activities scheduled in the metro-area. Labor-To-Labor walks continue Saturday; watch for full details tomorrow. Union members are eligible for special discounted tickets all weekend as part of Six...
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Sep 2, 2010Free Screening At Film Rally For Gray
Local filmmaker – and DC Labor Film Fest advisor -- Aviva Kempner will co-host a “Film Rally” for labor-endorsed mayoral candidate Vince Gray (r) on Tuesday, September 7 at 8p at the Avalon Theatre. Kempner will screen her award-winning documentary, The Life and Times of...
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Sep 2, 2010Labor On The Move: Richards Lands in Ohio
Former Union Cities Assistant Mobilizer Andy Richards (l) is now working as an AFL-CIO Field Communications assistant in Ohio. His report on marathon phone banker Max Reynolds – Ohio Labor 2010: UAW Retiree—‘Volunteer Once, You’ll Do It Again’ – ran on Wednesday’s AFL-CIO...
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Sep 1, 2010One Stop Union Voter Shop
Area union voters can now easily get crucial information on the upcoming primary and general elections on the Metro Washington Council, AFL-CIO's online Political Action page. Click here now for full details on election dates, polling places (with maps), registration, early voting...
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Sep 1, 2010Final Community Candidate Forums Set For This Week
The last two community candidate forums are set for this week. The Ward 6 forum is scheduled for today and Ward 5’s for tomorrow. "The Ward 6 councilmember plays a significant role in shaping public policy throughout the city, but an outsized role in shaping what will impact...
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Sep 1, 2010CSA's "News You Can Use": Knowing The Difference Between A Scam And A Good Deal
"Buyer Beware" is always something to keep in mind", says Community Services Agency Executive Director Kathleen McKirchy. "If it sounds too good to be true it’s probably a scam." How can you tell the difference between a scam and a good deal? The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the...
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Sep 1, 2010Union Voice: Readers Write: Novel Approach to Montana's Labor History
In response to our recent report on Cripple Creek, CO ( Remembering Cripple Creek , 8/20 ), Richard Laubach of AFGE 2419 sent in information about the remnants of the miner’s union hall in Granite , Montana, one of the area’s famous ghost towns (r). Reminds us that Ivan...
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Aug 31, 2010Metro Council Hits Fenty Hard In Mailings And Calls
As DC’s mayoral race enters the final stretch, the Metro Washington Council has prepared a hard-hitting series of mailings to union voters in the District, who will also receive automated calls from Council President Jos Williams. The full-color oversize postcards -- which will be...
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Aug 31, 2010Registering Voters In Charles County
IBEW 1900’s Greg Waller reports that – wearing his other hat as Charles County Central Committee member – he’s just helped open up the Charles County Democratic headquarters in Waldorf, Maryland, where they’re hard at work registering Democratic voters for the upcoming elections. The...
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Aug 31, 2010Goldman Marks 20 Years At AFSCME Council 26
AFSCME Council 26 Executive Director Carl Goldman (r) has been so busy organizing new members and serving existing locals that his 20th anniversary at Council 26 slipped by last year without notice. The DC native has been involved in the local labor movement for more than three decades,...
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Aug 31, 2010Maryland Voter Information 2010
MARYLAND The below information is from the Maryland State Board Of Elections . General Election Date- November 2, 2010 Click here now for information on the following: - Polling Places - Early Voting - Voter Registration - Request An Absentee Ballot
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Aug 31, 2010Virginia Voter Information 2010
VIRGINIA The below information is from the Virginia State Board of Elections . General Election Date- November 2, 2010 Click here now for information on the following: - Registering to Vote - Local Voter Registration Offices - Where do I Vote in Virginia? - Voters...
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Aug 30, 2010Delta Hits Turbulence With CWA Organizing Video
The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA has produced a great new organizing video – The New Delta Family – focusing on flight attendants' “frustration over how their airline has changed for the worse with a revolving door of changing management and executives,” reports the...
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Aug 30, 2010Scholarships Available For NLC Labor-Management Course
Scholarships are available for the National Labor College’s Labor-Management Partnerships course this fall. The Aetna Minority Health Care Scholarship for this course – available for women and people of color – will also pay for room and board at the College. The course is for union...
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Aug 30, 2010In Memoriam: Bonnie Ladin, National Labor College Professor And Union Organizer, Dies At 59
Bonnie Ladin (at left), 59, a professor at the National Labor College (NLC) who discovered her passion for workers' rights as a member of a bakers' union in the 1970s and went on to become a leading organizer with the Service Employees International Union, died August 25 at her home in...
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Aug 27, 2010Gray Pledges Support For DC Nurses
DC mayoral candidate and City Council Chairman Vince Gray (center) Wednesday renewed his pledge of support for nurses at the Washington Hospital Center (WHC). Earlier this year, Gray expressed his disappointment in the hospital’s firings and disciplinary actions against nurses and other...
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Aug 27, 2010Labor-To-Labor Walks Continue Saturday
Labor-to-labor walks continue this Saturday to help elect labor-endorsed candidates in Wards 4, 5 and At-Large in the District's September 14 Primary. "With only three weeks until Election Day, dozens of volunteers are expected to turn out to door knock in support of Phil Mendelson,...
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Aug 27, 2010Local Concrete Workers Demand Dignity, Respect
More than 100 concrete workers and community allies descended on the Consolidated Forensic Laboratory construction site at 6th Street, SW yesterday morning, protesting contractor Southland Concrete’s “unsafe practices, unfair layoffs and poor working conditions.” The workers are...
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Aug 26, 2010Bricks Object To Non-Union Masonry At VP Biden's Office
It's the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, DC, and it's where Vice President Biden has his office, along with many other White House officials. The Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers union (BAC) found out recently that despite all the Obama administration's rhetoric about...
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Aug 26, 2010Mott's Strike Garners National Attention
The ongoing strike by upstate New York Mott’s workers – first covered by Union City back in early July and supported from the very beginning by UFCW 400 – is now drawing much-deserved national attention, including a front-page New York Times article last week. Mott’s is owned...
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Aug 26, 2010"Unions Cannot Win On Our Own" Says Aussie Activist
“While coalitions are not an absolute solution to changing the dynamic of a hostile political environment – and an economy that only serves the interests of large corporations – they are paramount to strengthening the brawn and brains of unions,” said Australian labor activist and...
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Aug 25, 2010School Officers' Union Pushes For "Fair Share" Of Fed Funds
The Council of School Officers (CSO) is urging Mayor Adrian Fenty and DC Public Schools (DCPS) Chancellor Michelle Rhee to recognize the critically important jobs filled by many of its members who work as assistant principals, school psychologists, social workers, speech therapists, special...
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Aug 25, 2010Screen Scene Inspires Anew
“We kicked that bosses' ass and now he's in jail where he belongs,” said UE’s Chris Townsend (r) at Monday night’s screening of Workers’ Republic . More than 50 area activists packed the Langston Room at the U Street Busboys and Poets to watch the inspiring story of the workers at...
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Aug 25, 2010Aussie Activist/Author On Building Power In Coalitions
Australian activist and author Amanda Tattersall will discuss how to build powerful coalitions between unions and community organizations at today's lunchtime discussion at the AFL-CIO, where she'll also launch her new book "Power in Coalition." "Tattersall examines successful...
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Aug 24, 2010AFGE Targets Fenty In Radio Ads
The American Federation of Government Employees, which represents 600,000 federal and District of Columbia public employees, last week launched an ad campaign targeting D.C.’s mayor (r). In the “ We Have a Problem with Our Boss ,” 60 second radio spot, the public employee union details...
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Aug 24, 2010Union Plus Offers Discount On Princeton Review
The rising costs of education can be a daunting hurdle for working families. But thanks to a new Union Plus discount, union members and their children can now save up to 50% on college test prep courses (including SAT, ACT, GMAT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT) from the Princeton Review. The new...
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Aug 23, 2010Labor Hits DC Streets For Gray
Dozens of local labor volunteers fanned out across DC’s Ward 5 Saturday morning on the second Labor-to-Labor lit drop for mayoral candidate Vincent Gray and other labor-endorsed candidates, including Ward 5 Councilman Harry Thomas Jr. (center), who spoke briefly to the assembled volunteers....
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Aug 23, 2010AFGE FAA Local Joins Council
AFGE Local 2703 - which represents nearly 200 Aeronautical Information Specialists at the US Department of Transportation/ Federal Aviation Administration - is the latest Metro Washington Council affiliate. "We're very happy to become a part of the Metro Council," said Local 2703 President Ron...
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Aug 23, 2010Free Screening Tonight Of "Workers' Republic"
Don't miss tonight's screening of the inspiring story of the workers at Republic Windows and Doors who won by taking over their doomed factory in December 2008. The award-winning documentary Workers' Republic shows free at 6P at Busboys & Poets. "Come and discuss how the lessons of...
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Aug 23, 2010Annual Golf Tourney Just Weeks Away
The Community Services Agency's annual Golf Tournament - now in its 15th year - is just weeks away, scheduled for Monday September 27 at the Enterprise Golf Course in Mitchellville, Maryland. "Sign-up your foursome before space runs out!" says CSA Executive Director Kathleen McKirchy....
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Aug 20, 2010Remembering Cripple Creek
Some of the sharpest and most violent class struggles in American history were fought in the hard rock mining towns of the nineteenth-century West where workers and bosses fought with fists, bullets, and dynamite in the streets and mines. On a recent visit to Colorado, I stopped by Cripple...
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Aug 20, 2010MD Officers Push Back On Caseloads
Citing "unmanageable caseloads," Maryland parole and probation officers are meeting next week with government officials to develop a "commonsense agreement on caseloads and overtime," reports AFSCME Maryland . Almost 600 General Supervision Agents in the city of Baltimore and Baltimore,...
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Aug 20, 2010Thomas To Join Ward 5 Labor-To-Labor Walks Saturday
"As we enter our second week of labor walks, we will be joined by Councilmember Harry Thomas Jr. this Saturday," reports Metro Washington Council Assistant Political Coordinator Alya Solomon. Saturday's walks run 10A - 1P to blitz Ward 5 for labor-endorsed candidates Vincent Gray, Phil...
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Aug 20, 2010Sharing Union City
Union City readers can now easily share stories with friends and family using your favorite social media networks, such as Twitter, Facebook, My Space and dozens more! Look for the "sharethis" link at the top of each archived news article on the Metro Washington Council's website and...
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Aug 19, 2010Hotel Workers Press Bank Of America To "Save Our Jobs!"
Under grim and damp skies, more than one hundred hotel workers and labor allies rallied outside the 15th and Pennsylvania Bank of America branch during rush-hour last night to demand that the bank protect their jobs. “We’re mad as hell and we’re not going to take it anymore!" said...
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Aug 19, 2010FilmFest Ad Deadline Extended
The deadline for ads in this year's DC Labor FilmFest Program Guide has been extended to Friday, September 3. "We're very close to finalizing the line-up for our 10th annual FilmFest and will have exciting news by Labor Day," announced FilmFest Director Chris Garlock. "Don't miss this chance...
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Aug 19, 2010August Edition Of "The Trades" Available Online
"Wake up and smell the coffee (and) help re-elect the two most important O’s this year and in two years, the first being O’Malley and the second being Obama," reports Washington Building and Construction Trades Council Executive Secretary-Treasurer Vance Ayres in the August edition of The...
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Aug 18, 2010Fenty Urged To Boot Lax Security Company
SEIU Local 32BJ is urging DC Mayor Adrian Fenty to boot the security company contracted by the District to guard government buildings, schools and public arenas. U.S. Security failed tests in which inspectors were able to sneak weapons through checkpoints, reported The Washington Post...
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Aug 18, 2010DC Laborers Welcome Return To AFL-CIO
“We’ve been with the Metro Council all along,” said Laborers 657 Business Manager Anthony Frederick (center) after Monday’s announcement that the Laborers (LIUNA) are re-affiliating with the AFL-CIO. “Now we can all act as one. United, we’re big,” Frederick added,...
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Aug 18, 2010Holt-Baker To Join Hotel Workers At Bank Of America Demo
AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Arlene Holt-Baker will join more than one hundred hotel workers and labor allies at today’s 5P demonstration outside Bank of America to demand that the bank “honor the taxpayers’ generous bailout of their company and protect hotel jobs,”...
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Aug 17, 2010Online Labor Photo Gallery Updated
The Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO’s online photo gallery has been updated and is just a click away! View hundreds of archived photos from previous Metro Council events dating back to 2008, including Bowling for Gold and Golf tournaments, Evening With Labor, Labor Night at...
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Aug 17, 2010Hotel Workers Bring Fight To Bank Of America
When the boss sneezes, it's the workers who catch the cold. With mega-hotel owners Columbia Sussex preparing to default on over a billion dollars in loans from Bank of America, local hotel workers --joined by AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Arlene Holt-Baker, UNITE HERE, DC Jobs with Justice...
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Aug 16, 2010"We're Set Up To Fail" Say DC School Workers
The hidden casualties of the Fenty administration’s controversial “IMPACT” school evaluation system rallied outside DC Public Schools headquarters for several hours Friday, protesting the “shady methods” used to assess their performance. “Para-professionals, clericals and even...
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Aug 16, 2010AFGE Videos Hit Fenty, Draw Media Notice
Anti-Fenty YouTube videos produced by the American Federation of Government Employees garnered attention in the Washington Post with political columnist Mike DeBonis’ “ Union attacks Fenty with 'demon teddy bears' ” report last Thursday. The videos hit DC Mayor Fenty for closing...
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Aug 16, 2010Council Of School Officers Declares Impasse In Negotiations With DC Public Schools
The Council of School Officers (CSO) Local 4 announced Friday that it had filed papers with the DC Public Employee Relations Board (PERB) declaring that an official impasse has been reached in contract negotiations with the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS). The CSO –...
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Aug 16, 2010Interns Wrap Up Activist Union Summer
“You’ll always be part of our family,” declared Metro Council President Jos Williams at Friday’s farewell lunch for the 2010 Union Summer interns. “DC was one of five cities across the country to host interns this year, but you’re undoubtedly the best!” he added, before...
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Aug 13, 2010City Education Workers' "Rally For Justice" Today
Para-professionals and clerical staff at several DC agencies - members of AFSCME Local 2921 - will demonstrate outside DC Public Schools headquarters in the District's northeast at 10A this morning to protest being "targeted and run over by management and their lawyers." Click here for...
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Aug 13, 2010L.A. Rallies For Jobs Across Country
Thousands of working people will join community and labor leaders from across the country for a massive rally for good jobs in California and nationwide. Rallying in front of City Hall in Los Angeles (part of the AFL-CIO's 5 States/5 Cities strategic plan that includes Washington DC),...
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Aug 12, 2010New UFCW 400 President McNutt Building For Power
“There is power in numbers,” said Thomas P. McNutt (r) upon taking office as UFCW Local 400 President. “We are going to grow our union in order to strengthen our power to improve our members’ lives. The more our union grows, the more clout we have at the bargaining table and in the...
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Aug 12, 2010Raid On UFCW 1994 Ends
The raid on UFCW Local 1994's units is officially over. "The UFCW International and the International representing the raiding organization signed a binding agreement this week," reports Local 1994 President Gino Renne. "Staff representatives who were soliciting for signatures have left town."...
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Aug 12, 2010DC Nurses Endorse Mendelson For City Council
The District of Columbia Nurses Association has endorsed Phil Mendelson’s candidacy for At-Large Councilmember in the upcoming September Primary Election. “Councilmember Mendelson has consistently supported registered nurses in their efforts to improve health care and advocate on behalf of...
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Aug 12, 2010DC Labor-To-Labor GOTV Kickoff Saturday
Area union members and labor allies - led by the Metro Washington Council, AFL-CIO - will officially launch labor's 2010 get-out-the-vote campaign this Saturday to help elect labor-endorsed candidates in the District of Columbia's September Primary Election. Union volunteers will distribute...
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Aug 12, 2010Labor Passages: Longtime Labor, Political Activist Betty Miller Dies At 91
Lifelong labor union and political activist Betty Miller (r), 91, known for her boundless energy and drive, died on August 7. “Betty believed in action,” reports CLUW’s Carolyn Jacobson, “and throughout her life went to bat for the causes she believed in, often leading the charge.” A...
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Aug 11, 2010Labor To Celebrate Social Security's 75th Birthday
Labor and community allies will celebrate the 75th birthday of Social Security this Saturday at the Greenbelt Community Center in Maryland. “Drop by to show your support for protecting Social Security and Medicare from any benefit cuts or raising of the retirement age,” say event...
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Aug 11, 2010Defending Education Workers
“This rally will highlight the outrageous treatment of workers by the Fenty administration,” says Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO President Jos Williams, referring to AFSCME 2921’s “Rally For Justice” this Friday to defend Para-professionals and clerical staff who work at...
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Aug 11, 2010DCLabor Nears 400 Followers
Almost 400 union members and labor activists are the first to hear about job postings, labor events and updates in the DC area via the Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO’s Twitter account, DCLabor. Got labor news? Tweet us! Click here to sign up free today! To get the tweets...
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Aug 10, 2010Labor Launches Local GOTV Efforts
With less than five weeks until voters hit the polls for the September Primary Election –scheduled Tuesday, September 14 – the Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO will kick off a major Get Out The Vote (GOTV) campaign this Saturday to help elect labor-endorsed candidates in the...
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Aug 10, 2010Labor On The Move: Durazo & Andrews Elected To AFL-CIO Executive Council
The AFL-CIO recently elected Maria Elena Durazo (right), Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Los Angeles County AFL-CIO, and James Andrews (below), President of the North Carolina AFL-CIO, to two newly-created seats on the AFL-CIO’s Executive Council. "The new members of the Executive...
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Aug 9, 2010Para-Professionals, Clerical Staff To "Rally For Justice"
Members and staff of AFSCME Local 2921 – which represents Para-professionals and clerical staff at DCPS, Head Start, OPEFM and OSSE – will rally at 10A this Friday outside DCPS headquarters to protest being “targeted and run over by management and their lawyers.” AFSCME Local...
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Aug 9, 2010NBC-Universal Workers' Fight Continues
Workers at NBC Washington – who have been without a contract since Spring 2009 – are still embroiled in ongoing contract negotiations, reports NABET-CWA Staff Representative Carrie Biggs-Adams (at left). “There are rumors that we’re about to close a deal, but we still don’t have...
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Aug 6, 2010Gray Defeats Fenty In Straw Poll
District police were called out to direct traffic and maintain order as hundreds of Ward 4 residents – many of them union members – turned out in droves to vote for Vince Gray for DC Mayor in last night's Ward 4 Democratic straw poll at Saint Georges Church. Gray served up an embarrassing...
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Aug 6, 2010Engineers Win Election At FDA Federal Center
On Monday August 2, twelve engineers won a union election at Brooks & Brooks Services Inc., joining the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 99 at the FDA Federal Center in White Oak, Maryland. The plant is part of a 50-year plan at that location and provides power,...
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Aug 6, 2010Singing Out For Your Union
Are you a union member with musical talent? Union Plus is sponsoring the Union Song Contest where entrants can win a $2000 cash prize. To enter, simply write a song about the things you like about your union and submit it online by September 6, 2010. The Union Song Contest is brought...
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Aug 5, 2010Gray Unveils Job Creation Strategy
Saying that “too many people in this city are wondering where their next pay check is coming from,” labor-endorsed candidate for DC Mayor Vince Gray rolled out a comprehensive economic development plan Wednesday for the District to attract businesses and create jobs. “Unfortunately, for...
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Aug 5, 2010Home Care Providers Ratify First Contract
About 4,500 independent home care providers in Maryland now have a contract that will “help improve the conditions of their work and the services they offer,” reports AFSCME Council 67. The three-year agreement – which was ratified in July – increases provider rates and sets up a...
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Aug 4, 2010Daycon Strikers File New Charges With NLRB
Responding to Daycon’s refusal to “rescind its unlawful actions” and reinstate striking workers, Teamsters Local 639 has recently filed new unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board. “We had hoped that formal action by the Federal Government against the...
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Aug 4, 2010Women "Talk Union" Across Generations
Ten recommendations about what unions can do to attract and retain a new generation of young workers, especially women, have been released in a recent report by the Berger-Marks Foundation. The recommendations range from adopting term limits for elective union offices to creating 'safe...
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Aug 4, 2010Free August Calendar Download
The August calendar from labor artist Ricardo Levins Morales is now available for free download. This month’s calendar features what Levins Morales describes as a “one-page popular education workshop on immigration,” linking the southern US border to larger issues of trade and justice....
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Aug 3, 2010WHC Nurses Approve One-Day Strike
“Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of last week, Nurses United members came together and voted in huge numbers to strike for one day over the unfair treatment and disrespect shown to us by [Washington Hospital Center] management during and after the snowstorms in February,” reports Nurses...
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Aug 3, 2010Labor Walks With Gray
Dozens of labor volunteers – led by the Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO – took to the streets Saturday to support labor-endorsed Mayoral candidate Vince Gray (center). The volunteers walked with Gray through Ward 4 – which is Mayor Adrian Fenty’s home Ward – canvassing...
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Aug 3, 2010Helping Union Veterans
In July 2008, the AFL-CIO launched its first-ever Union Veterans Council (UVC) to “bring together union veterans on the issues that matter most to veterans, their families and working men and women.” Since then, the UVC has helped millions of veterans across America access good jobs and...
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Aug 2, 2010MCGEO Digs Up Dirt On Raiding Rival
The union representing Montgomery County government workers – UFCW 1994 MCGEO – has “unearthed several unfair labor practice charges filed by a member of its rival union,” reports Maryland Politics Watch. The UPSEU member claims that the union is “restricting my ability to...
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Aug 2, 2010Library Workers Get The Picture(s)
Saul Schniderman and Michele Chisholm of AFSCME Local 2910 – which represents over 1,500 workers at the Library of Congress -- have just posted an online photoshow – with music – of last month’s AFSCME convention in Boston, including the Save our Library Rally and Library...
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Jul 30, 2010WHC Nurses May Stage 1-Day Strike Over Firings
Washington Hospital Center nurses are voting on staging a one-day strike to mark the six-month anniversary of firings in the wake of the February blizzards. If approved by members, the one-day Unfair Labor Practice strike would take place in August, six months after 18 nurses were...
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Jul 30, 2010State Fed Endorsements Released
U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski and Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley top the list of candidates endorsed by the Maryland State and District of Columbia AFL-CIO, released yesterday. Click here for the complete list of endorsements, which includes candidates for election in the U.S. House...
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Jul 30, 2010Training Stewards To Battle Over What's Not Covered
Many workers think their union's there to negotiate and enforce their contract, but in the federal sector, it's changes in working conditions and personnel policies that are not covered by a contract where a union also proves useful. AFSCME Council 26 held a training session Wednesday for 45...
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Jul 30, 2010Nancy Trejos' Book Signing Kicks Off Guild's New Outreach Program
Guild member Nancy Trejos (r) kicked off the Washington Post Newspaper Guild’s new Outreach program with a book signing at Caribou Coffee just down the street from the paper on July 21. The program has been created to promote the talents of Guild members and to raise the profile of the...
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Jul 29, 2010Ward 1 Candidate Forum To Focus On Labor Issues, Affordable Housing
With the DC primaries less than two months away, Ward 1 City Council candidates will appear before labor and community groups tonight for a candidate forum. Sponsored by DC Jobs with Justice, Defeat Poverty DC, Empower DC, Jews United for Justice and the Metropolitan Washington Council AFL-CIO...
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Jul 29, 2010Increased Worker Safety Demanded At Town Hall
“My son fell to his death at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas,” testified Mary (right), of United Support and Memorial for Workplace Fatalities (USMWF). “I will live forever with a dagger in my heart because there is no deeper pain, no deeper despair. All of us are here because we’ve...
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Jul 29, 2010CVC Union Welcomes Firing Of CEO
The union organizing workers at the Capitol Visitor Center welcomed the news yesterday that the Center’s CEO has been fired ( Head of Capitol Visitors Center gets fired , The Hill 7/27) . “You have taken the first steps towards correcting an untenable situation at the CVC,”...
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Jul 29, 2010Labor For Gray Reception Photos Posted
Photos from Tuesday night’s Labor for Gray fundraiser have now been posted online . The photos are available for downloading and may be freely used; please credit Chris Garlock/Union City.
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Jul 28, 2010Former Baltimore Sun Workers Get New Outlet
“Looking for work is more dispiriting even than dating,” writes John E. McIntyre. “You put yourself forward to be judged, and you are not only found wanting but often simply ignored.” McIntyre, former chief copy editor at the Baltimore Sun, was one of 60 people – including a third of...
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Jul 28, 2010Labor Rises To Support Gray Mayoral Effort
"This mayor has been a divider," said Vince Gray, "but tonight he's united us to throw him out of here!" Cheers erupted from the crowd of labor supporters gathered atop the downtown DC IBEW headquarters at last night's Labor for Gray fundraiser and reception. "I don't even think we've had a...
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Jul 27, 2010Gray Fundraiser Provides View From The Top
With hundreds planning on attending and thousands of dollars already raised, excitement is building for tonight's labor reception and fundraiser for DC Mayoral candidate Vince Gray (at right). The reception runs from 5P-7P on the IBEW's rooftop deck overlooking downtown Washington. In...
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Jul 27, 2010Workplace Safety Town Hall Tonight
“An average of 14 workers die each day in this country because the current occupational safety and health laws are weak,” says Sara Markle-Elder, who is organizing tonight’s town hall meeting on tough new legislation that seeks to strengthen mine and workplace safety rules. “The...
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Jul 27, 2010Labor Profile: Paola Encarnacion, DC JWJ Intern
“Determination is my key to success,” declares D.C. Jobs with Justice intern Paola Encarnacion (below), “everyone tells me I am going to be just like (Supreme Court nominee) Sonia Sotomayor and make history.” The Dominican Republic native -- who’s lived in Washington for the past two...
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Jul 27, 2010Union Voice: Readers Write
“Your newsletter is usually a heartening pleasure,” writes reader George dePue. “I'm very grateful. In a small, hopefully beginning way it hearkens back to the era when organized working people undertook our own media, even broadcasting. In the era of the Internet, your work is...
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Jul 26, 2010Mobile Exhibit Exposes Modern-Day Slavery
Learn about the history and evolution of slavery in Florida’s fields at a special exhibit – developed by the Coalition of Immokalee Workers – on display today at the Church of the Pilgrims near Dupont Circle. “A century and a half after the Civil War, forms of slavery continue...
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Jul 26, 2010Labor For Gray Fundraiser Tomorrow
“I implore unions and members of the labor community to help support labor-endorsed candidate for Mayor, Vince Gray (l), at a reception and fundraiser tomorrow night,” says Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO President Jos Williams. “Throughout his career, Vince has demonstrated...
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Jul 26, 2010CSA Golf Tourney Set
Registration forms for the Community Services Agency’s annual golf tournament – now in its 15th year, scheduled for Monday, September 27 – are available for download on the Metro Council’s website. “Be sure to sign up early so that you don’t miss out!” says CSA Executive...
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Jul 26, 2010Free Green Labor Journal
The National Labor College has released the July publication of the Green Labor Journal, a free monthly e-zine that “examines issues of green jobs, sustainability, clean energy and climate change from a labor movement perspective,” reports the NLC. This month’s edition includes...
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Jul 26, 2010Union Voice: Readers Write
“I saw the mention in Friday’s ‘Weekend Labor History’ of the Alliance for Labor Action (ALA),” writes AFSCME Council 26 Executive Director Carl Goldman. “When I was a student in Montgomery College I interviewed the ALA Director for a school project. While I had been active in...
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Jul 23, 2010"Shame On Massey" Say Protesters
More than 50 labor rights activists rallied outside the National Press Club Thursday where Don Blankenship – the Chairman and CEO of mining company Massey Energy – was scheduled to speak. “A total of 31 miners have been killed this year at mines owned by Massey,” Peg Seminario, AFL-CIO...
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Jul 23, 2010Labor For Gray Fundraiser Next Week
Local unions are encouraged to show their support for labor-endorsed candidate for Mayor of the District of Columbia, Vince Gray, at a reception and fundraiser next Tuesday, July 27. “I strongly urge you to help support Vince's campaign by attending this event,” says Metropolitan...
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Jul 23, 2010Tough Mine, Workplace Safety Bill Advances
“Tough new mine safety and workplace safety rules cleared a big hurdle Wednesday when the House Education and Labor Committee approved legislation that includes stronger enforcement tools, tougher penalties and broader workers’ rights,” reports the AFL-CIO . “The bill—now named...
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Jul 23, 2010Searchable Union City Archive
Nearly five years of Union City stories are just a click away in Union City’s searchable online archives . Now you can quickly locate complete articles – along with photos and artwork – going back to December 2005.
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Jul 22, 2010Activists To Rally For Mine Workers' Rights Today
Dozens of workers’ rights activists will rally outside the Press Club at 11:30A today to tell Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Massey Energy, Don Blankenship - whose company owns the Upper Big Branch Mine in West Virginia where 29 miners were killed on April 5th - that “lives...
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Jul 22, 2010"Boycott The Reserve" Urge Restaurant Workers
Representatives from DC Jobs with Justice and community allies leafleted outside The Reserve on L Street, NW at noon yesterday, urging passersby to boycott the restaurant where workers are owed tens of thousands in back wages by owner Moe Hamdan. “Hamdan still refuses to pay his workers,”...
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Jul 22, 2010WHC Nurses Continue Push For "Fair Contract"
Over 300 Nurses United members – who have been working without a contract since the end of June - rallied outside the Washington Hospital Center Monday, calling on management to bring “fair and reasonable” proposals to the bargaining table. “Nurses are not asking for pay increases,...
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Jul 22, 2010Fed Up Residents Establish "Tent City"
Enraged over Mayor Fenty’s back flip on promises to provide affordable housing, dozens of DC's Shaw neighborhood residents, homeless activists and community allies – led by ONE DC and Take Back the Land – have established a ‘tent city’ on the corner of 7th and R Streets, NW to draw...
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Jul 22, 2010Miner Safety To Be Explored At Labor Briefing
Join labor and community allies for a special briefing next Tuesday on the Miner Safety and Health Act of 2010, which seeks to strengthen oversight and enforcement in mines and other dangerous workplaces. Briefing organizers are seeking workers who have had workplace injuries and...
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Jul 21, 2010Hold Massey Energy Accountable!
Labor and community allies will hold a demonstration Thursday against Don Blankenship (r), Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Massey Energy, whose company owns the Upper Big Branch Mine in West Virginia where 29 miners were killed on April 5th. “Massey had racked up a disgraceful...
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Jul 21, 2010Union Voice: Readers Write
“Enjoying the newsletters,” writes Mona Miller. “Especially the article about the labor tour in DC with the map of labor-friendly (and not-so-friendly) hotels and restaurants.” Whether you love Union City, found an error or have a story suggestion, we love hearing from our readers!...
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Jul 21, 2010Endorsements Finalized At Special Council Meeting
Braving a marathon session of rigorous debate Monday night, Executive Board members and Delegates of the Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO finalized the remaining political endorsements in state and local races. Click here to review the complete list of endorsements on the Metro...
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Jul 20, 2010Fish Fry Helps USDA Local Build Membership
Whoever said there’s no such thing as a free lunch wasn’t at the USDA last Wednesday. Members of AFSCME 3925 – which represents the USDA Farm Services and Risk Management Agency’s employees -- enjoyed a free fish fry, as did their colleagues who signed up for the union that day. As...
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Jul 20, 2010Verizon Charged With Exploiting Workers
Verizon workers in Northern Virginia say they are being forced to perform “mandatory overtime,” charging that Verizon’s Director of FiOS Installation is exploiting a provision in their contract that allows up to eight extra “volunteer hours” per week if necessary. “For a business,...
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Jul 20, 2010Labor To Host Reception For Gray
Meet labor’s endorsed candidate for Mayor of the District of Columbia, Vince Gray, at a reception and fundraiser on Tuesday, July 27 . "Labor will have an integral role in a Gray administration," said Gray in May, when the Metro Council endorsed him. "Union members are the life's...
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Jul 19, 2010Special Metro Council Delegate Meeting Tonight
Don't miss tonight's Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO delegate meeting – the first July Council meeting in many years -- where delegates will hold a special session for the sole purpose of taking action on endorsements in the metro-area's remaining political races. Click here...
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Jul 19, 2010Children's Hospital Workers OK New Pact
Hospital workers at the Children's National Medical Center overwhelmingly approved a new 3-year contract on July 6. The new pact provides 1,000 members of SEIU 722 with 3% raises each year and “cleared up time and attendance issues,” reports Local 722 President Dan Fields. The local...
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Jul 19, 2010IN MEMORIAM: CWA Secretary-Treasurer Emeritus James Booe; Harry Kranz, DOL, UAW, CIO
CWA Secretary-Treasurer Emeritus James Booe: Retired CWA Secretary-Treasurer James B. Booe (r), who helped guide CWA for nearly 45 years, died July 9. He was 83. Booe retired as secretary-treasurer in 1992 after having served CWA as secretary-treasurer and executive vice president. Booe...
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Jul 16, 2010Wal-Mart DC Plans Challenged
Wal-Mart’s low wages won’t fly in the nation’s capital. With negotiations underway for the giant retailer to open a store in the District, unions and community advocates are pushing big box stores to pay workers a living wage and hire District residents. A poll conducted by the United...
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Jul 16, 2010Building Futures Project Graduates 5th Class
The Community Services Agency's GSA Building Futures Project successfully graduated their fifth pre-apprenticeship class this week. The nineteen youth graduates celebrated their accomplishments Wednesday afternoon at Covenant House Washington surrounded by enthusiastic family, friends,...
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Jul 16, 2010Dyer Re-Elected OPEIU Region 2 VP
OPEIU Local 2 President Dan Dyer was re-elected Vice President for OPEIU’s Region II at the union’s 25th annual convention, held in Washington June 21-24. The convention focused on the theme "Diversity is Our Strength" in honor of OPEIU's gender and ethnic diversity, as well as the...
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Jul 16, 2010Got Books, Need Bags
The National Labor College’s upcoming Southern School for Union Women is looking for donations of leftover union convention or conference canvas bags or briefcases. “We received a number of books to give away,” says organizer Elise Bryant, “but need a good, strong union bag to...
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Jul 16, 2010JUFJ's "Thinking Jewishly": Sickening Injustice at Area Restaurants
This year's Labor on the Bimah theme is restaurant worker justice. Even in the current economic crisis, the restaurant industry is one of the fastest-growing industries. And though this growth would not be possible without workers such as waitstaff and bartenders, many restaurant employees...
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Jul 16, 2010When Finances Stall, Union Plus Provides A Jump Start For ATU Member
Times are tough for members of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 689 – service cuts loom large, job performance is under heavy scrutiny, and the safety of both passengers and drivers is a constant concern. Throw a career-threatening injury into the mix, and the stress level soars to...
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Jul 15, 2010Daycon Thumbs Nose At NLRB, Workers
"We're still on strike!" reports Teamsters 639 Business Agent Doug Webber. The Teamsters met Tuesday afternoon with Daycon management and a federal mediator after the National Labor Relations Board issued a formal complaint against the local cleaning supplies company, whose workers have been...
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Jul 15, 2010Electricians Pay It Forward
Thirty electricians and apprentices kept things humming Saturday as they wired up a Covenant House facility in southeast Washington. The volunteers included members of IBEW Local 26’s Minority Coalition, who recruited fellow local members of all races to help wire the housing and training...
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Jul 15, 2010Labor Profile: Robert Bass, MCGEO/UFCW 1994 Shop Steward
Shop stewards are on a local union's day-to-day frontlines, and that’s where UFCW 1994 shop steward Robert Bass (at far left in photo) was last Wednesday. "We've got to nip this in the bud," he said, referring to the raiding attempt by an out-of-state union on Local 1994's members. After...
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Jul 14, 2010PERB Upholds Reinstatement Of Fired DC Caseworkers
“Without my union I don’t know where I’d be today,” said an exuberant Nicole Smith Tuesday as her fellow caseworkers cheered outside the D.C. Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) in southeast DC. Smith and two of her colleagues had just won another ruling reinstating them after...
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Jul 14, 2010Labor Rallies For O'Malley
Union members gathered in front of the State House in Annapolis Monday to reiterate their support for Gov. Martin O'Malley, saying the Democratic governor has always paid attention to them, unlike his Republican predecessor. "Are we going to let our piece of property be taken over?" asked...
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Jul 14, 2010"Musicians For The Cure" Top Fundraising Record
The small but mighty ‘Musicians for the Cure’ team from AFM Local 161-710 raised a record $2,503.02 in this year’s Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure , the team’s most successful effort yet. “Thanks to the participants and all who contributed to our efforts this year,” says team...
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Jul 14, 2010Endorsement Vote Monday
Delegates of the Metro Washington Council, AFL-CIO will hold a special meeting next Monday, July 19 for the sole purpose of taking action on endorsements in the remaining outstanding political races. The meeting starts at 6:30P sharp at the AFL-CIO, 815 16th St NW.
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Jul 14, 2010Labor On The Move: AFSCME 2250's Shaw Passes
Former ACE/AFSCME 2250 Executive Director Harold Shaw (r) passed away in late June. "Harold was a hard and dedicated worker in the labor movement," said Local 2250 President Faith Jones. "He was instrumental in forming Local 2250 in 1967 when the Maintenance Department Association was...
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Jul 13, 2010Local 99 Grads Keep Their Cool
After more than 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 600 hours in the classroom, 14 students graduated last month from the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 99 Joint Apprentice-ship Committee training program. Operating engineers make sure the air conditioning, heat,...
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Jul 13, 2010A Chance For Injured Workers To Speak Out
If you or someone you know -- a member of your local, for instance -- has been injured on the job, Sara Markle-Elder wants to talk to you. Markle-Elder is organizing a job safety town hall later this month on federal legislation which seeks to strengthen oversight and enforcement in...
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Jul 13, 2010Labor On The Move: AFSCME's Bill Lucy Retires; Chuck Gray Passes
AFSCME’s Bill Lucy Retires: Longtime labor icon and civil rights leader William Lucy (r) -- known to everyone as Bill -- has retired after more than four decades at the forefront of the labor movement. As Secretary-Treasurer of the American Federation of State County and Municipal...
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Jul 12, 2010Pro-Active Campaign Saves Union Jobs At Giant Warehouse
"We just didn't back down," says Teamsters 730 President Ritchie Brooks. The union last week announced that Giant had agreed not to lay off any unionized workers -- and to accept the terms and conditions of the existing Teamster contract -- at its dry goods distribution business in...
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Jul 12, 2010Shaw's Warehouse Workers Ratify New Contract, Ending Strike
Associates at the Shaw's Methuen (MA) distribution center have ratified a mediator-recommended settlement agreement, ending the strike that began March 7 ( Local UFCW Members Support Strikers In Massachusetts 5/3/2010 UC ). "Congratulations to our brothers and sisters at Shaw's," said...
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Jul 12, 2010Team Solidarity Nets Nats Win On Labor Night
More than 5,000 area union members and their families joined a packed crowd at Friday’s fourth annual Labor Night at the Nats, as the home team clobbered the Giants in a 8-1 victory. AFGE 3615’s Juanita Jackson threw out the ceremonial first pitch, OPEIU 2 member and AFSCME staffer Renee...
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Jul 12, 2010Labor Photo: "Thou Shalt Not Steal" Say Restaurant Workers
Former employees of The Reserve restaurant were joined by DC Jobs with Justice and dozens of labor allies and community supporters Friday afternoon in front of the L Street eatery as they demanded tens of thousand in back wages they're owed by restaurant owner Moe Hamden. - photo by Adam...
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Jul 12, 2010Union Voice: Readers Write
"I'm an unemployed Wisconsinite," writes Union City reader Merritt Bussiere from Kewaunee, Wisconsin. "A compañero in DC added me to your mailing list. So, starting out, I was in it for the Hiring Hall. But Today's Labor History has become my favorite feature. So inspiring and helps me keep...
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Jul 9, 2010Moe Is Less At Local Eatery
Restaurateur Moe Hamdan (at left) used his new upscale DC eatery as his own personal piggy bank while leaving workers empty-handed, say former employees of The Reserve. According to one former manager who requested anonymity, Hamdan - who's the target of a demonstration by former workers and...
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Jul 9, 2010Union Nats Fans: Wear Your Colors, Bring A Toy
"Don't forget to wear your union colors at tonight's Labor Night at the Nats," says Community Services Agency Executive Director Kathleen McKirchy. Union City will be roaming the stands shooting photos for special online Labor Night at the Nats photo album. "Plus, bring along a new toy,...
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Jul 9, 2010UFCW 400 Feeds Daycon Struggle
As their strike stretched into its 11 week and temperatures soared, striking Daycon workers got some relief on Thursday when UFCW Local 400 President Tom McNutt sent over lunch and cold drinks. "We've got to help them keep their struggle alive," said UFCW Local 400 Director of Strategic Growth...
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Jul 9, 2010NPO Musicians Ink New Contract
National Philharmonic Orchestra musicians finalized a new contract on June 28 that provides for wage increases, annual bonuses and increased pension payouts over the life of the three-year contract. AFM Local 161-710 President John Cusick praised the local's NPO bargaining committee "for...
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Jul 9, 2010Local Union Member Stands In For America's Laid-Off Workers
"From the Panera bakery in downtown Silver Spring, Maryland, Carlita Guzman can gaze across the street at Lee Plaza, the 10-storey art deco building where she used to clean office suites every evening," wrote James Politi in the July 2 edition of The Financial Times. Guzman, an SEIU 32BJ...
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Jul 8, 2010"Scabs Go Home" Say MCGEO Workers
Responding to recent attempts to raid UFCW 1994 MCGEO members by “decertified scab unions,” dozens of Montgomery County government workers hand-billed outside the Gaithersburg Holiday Inn during rush hour Wednesday afternoon. The presence of a giant inflatable rat on loan from the...
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Jul 8, 2010Restaurateur Hamdan Targeted For Failure To Pay Wages
Moe Hamdan owes his workers more than $10,000. The owner of The Reserve restaurant is the target of a DC Jobs with Justice campaign to win back wages for DC workers. Hamdan has refused to meet with ex-workers who charge that he never paid them and D.C. Jobs with Justice delegation members, as...
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Jul 8, 2010MD General Assembly Questionnaires Posted Online
Responses to the Metro Council's questionnaire by candidates running for office in the Maryland General Assembly have been posted online. This expands the existing candidate questionnaire postings, which now include DC City Council, Prince George's County Council and County Executive, Charles,...
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Jul 8, 2010School Helps Union Women Learn History, Leadership Skills
Union women will learn how to "Run for Office, Not for Coffee" at this year's Southern School for Union Women, set for August 19-22 at the National Labor College (NLC) in Silver Spring. The school was created by and for union and community activists who support women’s advancement in the...
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Jul 7, 2010Janitor Battle Splashes Onto Business Press
“Is Lee Development Group’s Cleaning Contractor BREAKING THE LAW?” blares the banner ad running atop Gazette.net’s business page. SEIU 32BJ is running the ad for a full month to expose Lee’s hiring of contractor Beltway Cleaning Services “which unjustly refused to hire all...
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Jul 7, 2010Labor On The Move: Saunders Elected AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer
Lee Saunders (r) was elected Secretary-Treasurer of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) last Friday at the 1.6 million-member union’s 39th International Convention, held in Boston, MA. Saunders bested Danny Donohue in the contested election,...
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Jul 7, 2010Streetheat Works, Says IPS
“The street heat generated by Jobs with Justice, the AFL-CIO, SEIU, and other groups” strengthened the financial reform bill now before the Senate Sarah Anderson told attendees at the U.S. Social Forum in Detroit last month. “The Wall Street ‘showdowns’ they organized in Chicago, in...
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Jul 7, 2010Why The Mona Lisa Doesn't Talk To Grand Juries
The latest social justice calendar from labor artist Ricardo Levins Morales is now available for free download . In addition to significant historical labor events and actions, the July calendar features an image of the Mona Lisa dressed as a worker, mysteriously saying "I don't talk...
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Jul 7, 2010Labor Profile: Jobs with Justice Intern Anthony Ferguson
Most youth dream of changing the world and making a difference. Anthony Ferguson (l), a rising junior at Bell Multicultural High School in Columbia Heights NW DC, chose to put his dream into action by signing up for DC Jobs with Justice in a summer internship. "I wanted to help with workers'...
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Jul 6, 2010Opera Management, Union Members Singing Off Same Page
Labor and management are in harmony at the Washington National Opera. Again. Workers and management at the 54-year-old local musical institution settled a new contract in less than 48 hours last month, reports Eleni Kallas, National Director of Organizing and Training at the American Guild of...
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Jul 6, 2010Mott's Strikers Take A Stand For American Blue-Collar Workers
by Chris Garlock They'd rather be making applesauce. Instead, the workers at Mott's have been on strike in upstate New York since May 23, in what they say is the latest battle against unchecked corporate greed. On Friday, while visiting my parents in nearby Rochester for the holiday weekend,...
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Jul 6, 2010Excluded Workers Organize For Rights
Fifty one local activists traveled to Detroit recently, chartering a bus to attend the U.S. Social Forum held June 22 - 26th. The group included students, union members, members of DC Jobs with Justice and Empower DC, Wings strikers, and Union de Trabajadores members. In Detroit they joined up...
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Jul 6, 2010New York Group Trying To Raid UFCW In Montgomery County
An out-of-town labor group with a “checkered past” is raiding Montgomery County government workers, reports UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO. The National Corrections Employees Union (NCEU) from Massachusetts and the New York-based United Public Service Employees Union (UPSEU) are soliciting the Local...
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Jul 6, 2010NLRB Charges Daycon Violated Law
Strikers at Daycon won a victory last Friday when the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) decided to charge the local cleaning products company with significant violations of federal labor law. After conducting a major investigation for several months, the NLRB is issuing formal charges...
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Jul 6, 2010Last & Final Chance For Nats Tix
It’s the bottom of the 9th, two outs and two strikes for Labor Night at the Nats tickets. “Today’s your last chance to buy tickets for next week’s annual Labor Night at the Nats,” reports Community Services Agency Executive Director Kathleen McKirchy. “Final ticket purchases must...
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Jul 6, 2010Area Workers Support Mott's Strike
Local grocery workers are supporting a month-old strike in upstate New York. Three hundred workers at Mott’s were forced out on strike last month when the company slashed wages, benefits and undercut retirement security. UFCW Local 400 is supporting their fellow members at UFCW Local...
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Jul 6, 2010Labor On The Move: Heintzman Succeeds George As ATU President
Ronald J. Heintzman (r), executive vice president of the Amalgamated Transit Union for the past year, and a union vice president for seven years before that, took over as ATU’s international president on July 1. The union’s executive board appointed him to succeed Warren S. George, who...
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Jul 6, 2010DC's Labor History Explored
When labor activists took a walk through downtown Washington recently, it was, unusually, as tourists, not demonstrators. The group of 18 labor lawyers – in town for the annual meeting of the Lawyers Coordinating Committee -- participated in the first-ever DC Labor History Tour, led by Metro...
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Jul 1, 2010Nurses Join Teamsters On Daycon Picketline
"We're here today out of solidarity, pure and simple," DC Nurses Association Executive Director Herman Brown, Jr. said yesterday morning as he and other DCNA members walked the picket line at Daycon. "We don't like management treating people wrong, whether it's Teamsters or nurses." Blowing...
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Jul 1, 2010DC Workers Fight For Jobs At City Hearing
Workers battled business lobbyists in a major throw-down over jobs at DC City Council yesterday. "City Council needs to get serious about enforcing legislation that provides DC residents with jobs and training," challenged Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO Executive Board member and DC...
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Jul 1, 2010Inspiring & Mobilizing DC Nurses
Area nurses were "inspired and mobilized" by a labor relations seminar conducted last week by the DC Nurses Association. Thirty DCNA local leaders gathered for the annual training session led by Edward J. Smith, the union's staff attorney. "It was our most active labor relations seminar in...
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Jun 30, 2010Local Transit Union President Says Safety For Workers, Riders Within Reach
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, beleaguered by deadly accidents in recent years, can be transformed into a safely run system, says the head of the Metro worker’s union. “Effective oversight, dedicated funding and institutional accountability will restore the confidence...
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Jun 30, 2010Workers To Battle Trade Lobby Goliath At Today's Council Hearing
District residents and workers will take on the Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC), the anti-union trade lobby group, at a special City Council hearing on DC’s Employment and Trade Stimulus Amendment Act today at 10A. The bill would provide much-needed jobs and training...
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Jun 30, 2010Friday Deadline For Nats Tix
Time is running out to get your tickets for this year’s Labor Night at the Nats! “The deadline is fast approaching,” warns Community Services Agency (CSA) Executive Director Kathleen McKirchy, noting that ticket purchases must be finalized by this Friday, July 2 at 12P. The family...
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Jun 30, 2010June Council Minutes Now Online
Draft minutes from the June Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO Executive Board and Delegate meetings are now available for download on the Metro Council’s website. Mark your calendars for next month’s meeting when Delegates will hold a special session on Monday, July 16 at...
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Jun 29, 2010Washington Hospital Nurses Reject Contract
Nurses at Washington Hospital Center overwhelmingly rejected management's proposed contract last weekend. The 987-21 vote -- the largest turnout in the union's history -- sent "a strong message to WHC management that we will not accept continued staffing shortages or reductions in benefits and...
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Jun 29, 2010DC Failing Own Workers
Jobless DC residents are being victimized by high unemployment and their own government’s failure to enforce basic laws specifically designed to help them. DC’s 4-year-old living wage law has yet to be implemented, and the District’s “first source” law is largely being ignored,...
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Jun 29, 2010Labor On The Move: Reggie Cole Retires From AFL-CIO
"After more than 31 years of service, Reggie Cole is retiring and will be missed immensely!" reports the AFL-CIO. Cole (r) has filled several critical roles at the AFL-CIO, including nearly a decade as the Broadcast Manager. A celebration to honor her is being held on Wednesday, June 30...
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Jun 29, 2010Labor Profile: Union Summer Site Coordinator Jennifer Tate
“I was born in solidarity,” says Jennifer Tate (r), site coordinator for the DC Union Summer intern program. The Michigan State graduate (’08) knew early on that she wanted to be a union member as well as an activist, growing up in a household fully engaged in the battle for workers...
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Jun 28, 2010Working To Get Off The Bench
Ironworker Willie Williams (r) isn’t used to being laid off. “I refuse to sit on the bench,” he says. Right now, though, Williams – whose goals is to “be an iron worker for the next twenty years” -- is out of work, unwillingly benched. Williams, a DC resident, apprenticed...
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Jun 28, 2010Labor Profile: Union Summer Intern Lizet Ramirez
Legendary farm workers organizer Cesar Chavez is not just a hero to Union Summer intern Lizet Ramirez (r), he was a co-worker and close friend of her father, Agustin Ramirez, who’s also one of her biggest heroes and a longtime union activist, first with the United Farm Workers, and later...
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Jun 28, 2010Capitol Tour Staff Lead Way To Union
Tour staff at the U.S. Capitol know a lot about the building's history. Friday they added their own chapter to that history, filing for a union recognition election. The filing came after a brief 3-week campaign initiated by the workers themselves, reports Carl Goldman, Executive Director of...
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Jun 25, 2010Cement Masons Seal Big Concrete Deal At New Coast Guard HQ
Plasterers’ and Cement Masons’ Local 891 is “One of the first labor unions" to land a contract on the St Elizabeth's project in Southeast DC, reports Business Manager Keith Hickman. The union recently locked down a federal contract to work on the new Coast Guard headquarters...
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Jun 25, 2010DC Resident Wants To Help Rebuild His Community
Larae King-Day is a construction worker, a father, a musician and a lifelong DC resident. He’s also been out of work for two long years. King-Day trained as a construction worker through the GSA Building Futures Project but has had no luck finding steady work. “I thought being a Ward 8...
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Jun 25, 2010Labor Profile: Union Summer Intern Jack Arlook
Inspired by his urge to make a positive impact on people’s lives in his hometown, Washingtonian Jack Arlook is one of this year’s Union Summer interns at the Metro Washington Council. After graduating from Eckerd College in St Petersburg, FL in 2007 – where he earned a double major in...
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Jun 25, 2010Strasburg Set To Pitch At Labor Night At The Nats
Now there are two reasons to catch the July 9 Nationals-Giants game: tickets to the fourth annual Labor Night at the Nats benefit the Community Services Agency and pitching phenom Stephen Strasburg (r) is currently scheduled to start that night. “It’s going to be a great night at the...
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Jun 24, 2010"Contract Or Leave!" Demand Hilton Workers
Charging that the Hilton Crystal City is “violating workers’ rights,” dozens of hotel workers rallied in Northern Virginia Wednesday afternoon demanding that hotel owner Columbia Sussex “sign a fair contract or get out of town.” The workers have been without a contract since October...
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Jun 24, 2010SEIU 32BJ Hosts Open House At New HQ Saturday
SEIU 32BJ "has consolidated its Silver Spring and DC offices to bring our organizing department, health care fund and training funds together under one roof," says District Chair and Area Director Jaime Contreras. "This will provide our members with better access to their union!" The local is...
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Jun 24, 2010Online Council Directory Updated
AFGE Local 2978 – which represents workers at the DC Department of Health – has new contact information, updated in the Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO’s online directory of local affiliates. Click here now to search for local 2978’s new address and phone number and...
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Jun 24, 2010Labor Profile: Union Summer Intern Boaz Young-El
Boaz Young-El’s interest in activism began as a minority student at Hampden-Sydney College in Farmville Virginia. “There was not much diversity at Hampden-Sydney,” says Young-El (l), so he joined the Minority Student Union (MSU), a social equality advocacy group on campus. “MSU was one...
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Jun 23, 2010Political Action Dominates June Council Meeting
Political action dominated the agenda at Monday’s Metro Council Executive Board and delegate meetings. After spirited discussion of the candidate endorsement recommendations by the DC, Prince George’s and Tri-County COPE committees, both bodies voted to meet again in special session on...
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Jun 23, 2010Hilton Workers To Rally Against Union-Busting Today
Workers at the Hilton Crystal City in Northern Virginia continue their two-and-a-half-year struggle at 4:30P today . The hotel workers have been fighting to maintain decent wages, benefits and workplace rights and will rally to stop hotel owner Columbia Sussex Corporation's union-busting...
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Jun 23, 2010Area Broadcast Workers Pull Off Double-Play
Workers at Montgomery Community Television - members of NABET Local 31 - overwhelmingly ratified a 3-year contract earlier this month; the vote was 13-0. NABET 31 also just negotiated a “ground breaking agreement” with ABC that will add over 3,700 “man days” for local union members....
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Jun 23, 2010JUFJ's "Thinking Jewishly": 2010 Labor On The Bimah
Jews United For Justice's annual Labor on the Bimah program is back, focusing this year on restaurant worker justice. Part of the Interfaith Worker Justice's Labor in the Pulpit/Bimah/Minbar, the program weaves together labor issues, social justice, and Judaism in an effort to bring...
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Jun 22, 2010Nats Stadium Workers Ink New Contract
With a hot new pitcher on the mound and a freshly-approved contract in hand, members of UNITE HERE Local 25 are enthusiastically cheering on the Nationals. Workers at the Nationals Stadium - members of Local 25 - overwhelmingly approved a new agreement Monday afternoon. "It's a great...
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Jun 22, 2010MontCo Tenant Group To Call For Rent Stabilization, Improved Renter Laws
Rent stabilization and improved renter laws in Montgomery County are among the recommendations the Montgomery County Tenants Work Group will make to the Montgomery County Council today. "Right now there's very little to protect renters in Montgomery County against out-of-control rent...
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Jun 22, 2010Labor Profile: Union Summer Intern Essie Ablavsky
Inspired by anarchist Emma Goldman and folksinger Utah Phillips, Union Summer intern Essie Ablavsky (r) is back for her second summer of union activism. “They addressed issues of inequality and referenced the labor movement” says Ablavsky, “it really captured my interest.” The New...
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Jun 22, 2010Teamsters Blow Whistle On Daycon At UMD College Park
Striking Teamsters literally blew their whistles on Daycon during a picket at the University of Maryland’s College Park campus Friday after discovering that the school was using a Daycon truck as an on-site supply drop for cleaning supplies. The strike against Daycon - a local cleaning...
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Jun 22, 2010Bad Blood At The Red Cross
Bad blood is more than a metaphor at the American Red Cross. Hundreds of workers demonstrated outside national Red Cross headquarters under the blistering afternoon sun yesterday to expose the aid agency's poor treatment of both its workers and the nation's blood supply. The Red Cross has been...
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Jun 21, 2010On The Line Today
Join hundreds of OPEIU members, the DC Union Summer interns and two giant inflatable rats at the 1p Red Cross picket line today and then catch up on all the latest local labor news - including reports on the 8-week Teamsters strike against Daycon and contract negotiations at the...
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Jun 21, 2010Nurses Urged To Vote Down Contract Amid Leadership Crisis At Washington Hospital Center
Nurses at Washington Hospital Center are being urged to vote down "insulting contract proposals" after 13 weeks of fruitless negotiations. Meanwhile, as contract talks collapsed last Thursday, the hospital announced that interim president Harry Rider is leaving office early and senior vice...
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Jun 21, 2010Striking Iron Workers Take Battle To Next Level
Striking iron workers took their 8-month battle for justice to La Plata on Friday. Accompanied by representatives of DC Jobs with Justice and six Union Summer interns, the iron workers - who have been on strike against Wings Construction since October 2009 -- demanded to speak to the owner of...
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Jun 21, 2010Carpenter Trainees Build Relationships
After three months of carpentry, math and job readiness training, seven DC residents graduated last Thursday from the DC DOES-funded Carpenters Employment Training Program at Phelps High School in the District’s Northeast. The graduates learned about the tools of the trade and safely used...
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Jun 21, 2010Learning About U.S. Labor Through The National Pastime
A group of Russian labor professionals will be among the crowd at the July 9 Labor Night at the Nats . The Russians will be here "to meet with their counterparts and learn more about labor relations," says Michael Ginsberg of the Center for International Programs, who calls the labor...
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Jun 21, 2010Labor Profile: Union Summer Intern Joseph Daniels
It’s no surprise that DC native Joe Daniels (r) is fascinated by politics. After following the 2004 election, Daniels – one of seven Union Summer interns at the Metro Council -- was hooked and wanted to “learn more about how our government ticks and how it affects the people.” ...
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Jun 21, 2010Labor Quote Quiz
"Individual commitment to a group effort -- that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work." Which coach said it? Phil Jackson, Vince Lombardi, Pat Summit or John Wooden? Click here to vote now and you could be a winner! LAST WEEK'S QUIZ: Robert...
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Jun 18, 2010MontCo Workers Fight Furloughs With Youtube
Montgomery County workers, frustrated at being targeted for layoffs and furloughs, are striking back creatively. "Make a video-serious or funny, in verse or in song-rap, parody, satire or comedy," urges their union, UFCW Local 1994, Municipal & County Government Employees Organization...
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Jun 18, 2010Mirant Workers OK 5-Year Contract
IBEW Local 1900 members have okayed a new 5-year contract at the Mirant power company. "There were a lot of good things in the contract," says Karl Furbush, Local 1900 business representative. While the Mirant workers won six weeks of vacation after 30 years of service and an additional...
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Jun 18, 2010Aid Workers See Red
Red Cross workers and their supporters are bringing their battle for justice to the aid agency's national headquarters on Monday at 1P . Following up on a three-day strike by Red Cross workers in six states in early June, hundreds of delegates to the Office and Professional Employees...
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Jun 18, 2010Labor Profile: Union Summer Intern Jasmine Butler
Eighteen-year-old Jasmine Butler (r) wants to educate you about the labor movement. Just a week into her Union Summer internship at the Metro Washington Council, the Bowie State sophomore already knows that "when you are at a job and employers aren't treating you right," you have a right to...
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Jun 17, 2010CWA District 2 Moves To Block Corporate Tax-Dodgers
CWA District 2 activists recently "played a huge role" in winning support from a key U.S. Senator to stop corporate tax-dodgers. Legislation to close a major tax loophole is before the Senate this week, and CWA members last month won support from Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), a key member...
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Jun 17, 2010Airline Workers Skeptical Of United-Continental Merger
Area airline workers were among those keeping a close eye on Congressional hearings that began yesterday on the proposed merger between United Airlines and Continental Airlines. "The IAM is concerned that the new entity may be too big to succeed," International Association of Machinists and...
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Jun 17, 20103 Union Employers Make 2010 "Best Places To Work" List
Three local union employers have made the Washington Business Journal's " 2010 Best Places to Work ." Workers at the Omni Shoreham - the union hotel where the Metro Council holds the annual Evening With Labor - are members of UNITE HERE Local 25 and IUOE Local 99, while HITT Contracting...
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Jun 17, 2010Labor Profile: Union Summer Intern Ryan Carty
North Carolina native Ryan Carty “didn’t really know much about the labor movement,” but says he’s already gained “excellent hands-on experience” since being hired as part of the AFL-CIO’s Union Summer internship program at the Metro Washington Council. “In North Carolina there...
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Jun 16, 2010Nurses Cast "No Confidence" Vote At Washington Hospital Center
“Come back with some good results!” called out the nurse. “We’re working on it,” replied OR nurse Valerie Braden (at left), a shop steward for Nurses United at the Washington Hospital Center. Braden was one of two dozen union nurses clad in purple shirts emblazoned with “Nurses...
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Jun 16, 2010DC JwJ Organizes Bus To Social Forum
Seats are going fast on DC Jobs with Justice’s bus to the second US Social Forum June 22-26 in Detroit, MI. “Join tens of thousands of activists as we gather in Detroit under the banner, ‘Another World is Possible, Another U.S. is Necessary,’" says DC JWJ Executive Director...
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Jun 16, 2010Union Plus Ups AT&T Discount To 15%
Just in time for the new iPhone 4 release, Union Plus has increased union members' AT&T Discount to 15% from 10%. “Now is a great time to tell your members to switch their wireless service to AT&T to get savings, service and solidarity with the only completely unionized...
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Jun 15, 2010Young Workers Support Local Hotel Workers
More than 200 young workers from across the country braved sweltering DC heat and rush hour crowds last Friday to demonstrate their solidarity with local hotel workers. As part of the AFL-CIO's “Next Up” Young Worker Summit, participants organized an action in solidarity with a local...
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Jun 15, 2010MD/DC State Fed Honors Lautar, Cefalu & Moore At “Salute To Leadership”
The contributions of Jim Lautar (r), Buddy Cefalu and Bob Moore to the labor movement will be honored at the Maryland State and District of Columbia’s “ Salute to Leadership " this Friday. Lautar is the former coordinator of the IAM National Pension Fund, Cefalu is the President of the...
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Jun 15, 2010Writing Locally
“Continue hounding unions for news items,” wrote one Union City reader in our recent bi-annual reader survey. “We don't always remember to share our struggles and victories.” The daily publication – “useful info, easy to read, colorful and attractive!” according to one...
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Jun 14, 2010Building Good Relationships
Fifteen students from the GSA Building Futures Project got an up-close and personal site tour of the St. Elizabeth's West Campus redevelopment project with Clark Construction last Thursday. "It was my first time on a construction site," said student Kevin Ball, "I learned the ins and outs of...
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Jun 14, 2010Montgomery County Candidate Questionnaires Posted Online
Responses to the Metro Council's questionnaire by candidates in Montgomery County have just been posted online , where you can browse complete responses by 16 candidates. This expands the existing candidate questionnaire postings, which include DC City Council, Council Chair and Prince...
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Jun 14, 2010DC JwJ Fundraiser "Vote Of Confidence"
Last Thursday's "I'll Be There Awards" raised more than $24,000 for DC Jobs with Justice, "and sponsorships are still coming in!" says JwJ's Ruth Castel-Branco. The response to the community-labor group's 8th annual fundraiser "was our best-ever and a real vote of confidence in the work we've...
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Jun 14, 2010Young Workers, "Next Up" To Lead Labor Movement, Support Local Hotel Workers
More than 200 young workers from across the country braved sweltering DC heat and rush hour crowds last Friday to demonstrate their solidarity with local hotel workers. As part of the AFL-CIO's first-ever "Next Up" Young Worker Summit, participants organized an action in solidarity with the...
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Jun 11, 2010Students Get Their Hands On Future Jobs At Plumber's Open House
Hands-on welding and a controlled fire exercise were among the highlights of Tuesday's UA Mechanical Trades' Open House for students in the Community Service Agency's GSA Building Futures Project. As part of their pre-apprenticeship curriculum, the students visited the Plumbers and...
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Jun 11, 2010Labor Quote Quiz
"A year ago, we were being told, you have to deregulate more. Now, we are going to have to save capitalism from the capitalists." Who said it? Senator Al Franken, Congressman Barney Frank, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, or Congressman Dennis Kucinich? Click here to vote and you could be a...
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Jun 11, 2010Making Solidarity Real
"Without your help we would not have advanced as far as we have," striking ironworker Cristian Vazquez said at last night's DC Jobs With Justice "I'll Be There" awards. "We are like a tree that's planted by the river and we will continue our struggle to the end. Gracias!" The striking Wings...
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Jun 10, 2010"Don't Check In, Check Out!" Say Sheraton Workers
Dozens of hotel workers rallied for almost two hours outside the Sheraton Crystal City in Arlington Wednesday afternoon, thumping drums, brandishing signs reading “Boycott this hotel!” and chanting “Don’t check in, check out!” The workers have been struggling for over a year to...
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Jun 10, 2010Great Labor Arts Exchange Goes West
For the first time in 32 years, the Great Labor Art Exchange (GLAE) will not be held at the National Labor College. Instead, the annual labor creativity gathering - scheduled for June 18-21 -- will take place in Detroit, MI. The three-day festival of concerts and performances, workshops...
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Jun 10, 2010Focusing On Solidarity And Youth
Solidarity and youth are the focus tonight in two separate events in the District. Beginning at 5:30P at the AFL-CIO, DC Jobs with Justice will host their 8th annual "I'll Be There" awards honoring individuals and organizations for "exceptional solidarity work in the Metro DC area." Tonight's...
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Jun 9, 2010Shameful Business
The "shameful" actions of corporate America will come under fire today with two separate events in the metro area. Hotel workers from the Sheraton Crystal City will rally at 4:30P to protest the company's union-busting tactics during the workers' attempts to unionize, and are calling...
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Jun 9, 2010Passing The Hat For Striking Daycon Workers
Leaders and staff of the Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO and the Community Services Agency personally donated $400 this past week to help striking Daycon workers during their ongoing struggle, which is now in its seventh week. "Thanks very much to everyone who has contributed," says...
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Jun 9, 2010Largest DC Government Union Endorses Gray For DC Mayor
The largest union representing District government employees "enthusiastically" endorsed DC Council Chair Vincent Gray (center) for mayor last Friday. The 8,000-member District Council 20 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) called for "grown folks...
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Jun 9, 2010Labor Passages: APALA National President John Delloro
Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA) National President John Delloro (r) passed away recently from a heart attack. Elected in 2009 as one of the youngest leaders to this position, Delloro also served as Executive Director of the Dolores Huerta Labor Institute where he was a...
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Jun 8, 2010Capitol Tour Staff Begin Historic Push To Unionize
For the first time in the 134 years since Congress’ Capitol Guide Service was created, Congressional tour guides and visitor assistants “began efforts last week to form a union, citing concerns over the management practices at the Capitol Visitor Center,” reports Roll Call. “Eighteen...
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Jun 8, 2010Sheraton Workers To Picket Wednesday
Northern Virginia hotel workers – who have been organizing for over a year – will rally outside the Sheraton Crystal City Hotel in Arlington this Wednesday at 4:30P. “After a year of struggle including intimidation, supply shortages, protests, and the firing of a union supporter, the...
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Jun 8, 2010Lilo Gonzalez To Headline "I'll Be There Awards"
Singer-songwriter Lilo Gonzalez (r) and DC hip-hop artist Head-Roc will provide the entertainment at DC Jobs with Justice’s “I’ll Be There Awards” this Thursday. “Lilo has been composing and singing for over 20 years,” says DC JwJ Organizer Ruth Castel-Branco. “Among his many...
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Jun 7, 2010Daycon Strikers' Message Takes Flight
Tourists flocking to the Smithsonian got a taste of American labor history in the making on Friday morning, as striking Daycon workers handed out flyers - which doubled as paper helicopters - about their 6-week struggle with the local cleaning supplies giant. The workers, members of Teamsters...
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Jun 7, 2010"Go For It!" Say Job Training Grads
“The program was a blast and I got a job out of it!” said newly-minted job training graduate David McRae Thursday at the graduation ceremonies for the Prince George's Community College/UCAP Team Builders Green Industry Certification Program. “I like working with my hands,” added fellow...
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Jun 7, 2010DC Unemployed Workers Win New Benefits And Favorable Changes To UI Regulations
Unemployed workers in the District will see favorable modifications to existing unemployment insurance benefits regulations beginning July 22, thanks to a new Unemployment Insurance (UI) bill recently passed by the DC City Council. The new changes include: a dependent allowance of $15 per...
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Jun 4, 2010Daycon Strike Takes Wing
Striking Daycon workers are getting creative in their struggle to win their 6-week-old strike against the local cleaning products company. Today at 10a at the Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum they'll pass out free paper helicopters that double as leaflets about their strike, noting...
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Jun 4, 2010Tri-County Candidate Questionnaires Posted Online
Responses to the Metro Council's questionnaire by candidates in Charles, St Mary's and Calvert Counties have just been posted online , where you can browse the candidate's complete responses. This expands the candidate questionnaire postings, which already include DC City Council, Council...
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Jun 4, 2010Last Call For "I'll Be There" Sponsors
"We're almost there!" says DC Jobs with Justice Executive Director Mackenzie Baris. With less than a week to go to JwJ's annual "I'll Be There" Awards , the labor-community coalition is just $1,800 from their $20,000 goal. "DC Jobs with Justice has really expanded its impact over the last...
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Jun 4, 2010Worker Issues On The Air
Make sure worker issues get covered on WPFW 89.3 by attending the community-based radio station's Town Hall Meeting on Saturday, June 5. The town hall - which runs from 1-3:30p at All Souls Church, 2835 16th Street, NW -- is an opportunity for listeners and community members to share...
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Jun 4, 2010Labor Quote Quiz
An impressive 96% of you knew that it was recently-retired SEIU - and Change To Win founder - Andy Stern who said "We are not trying to divide the labor movement, we are trying to rebuild it." Jesse Powell is this week's Quiz winner, selected at random from those answering correctly. THIS...
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Jun 3, 2010Local Activist Takes Top Honor At CBTU Conference
Local labor activist Jessie Ball (r) took top honors at the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists' Annual Convention in Detroit last week, winning the Addie Wyatt Award - established by the CBTU National Women's Committee - for "demonstrating leadership skills and using her experience to inspire...
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Jun 3, 2010JUFJ's "Thinking Jewishly": Before Arizona, Prince Williams County
Long before Arizona, Virginia's Prince William County became ground zero in America's explosive battle over immigration policy when it started requiring police to question anyone they had "probable cause" to suspect of being an undocumented immigrant. The acclaimed film, 9500 Liberty...
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Jun 2, 2010Injury Doesn't Sideline Edwards' Solidarity With Daycon Strikers
Being hobbled with an injured leg did not stop Congresswoman Donna Edwards (D, MD - at right) from walking the picketline Monday as the Teamsters 639 strike at Daycon entered its sixth week. Edwards has called and written Daycon to urge them to return to the bargaining table, "But there's been...
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Jun 2, 2010Labor On The Move: Schniderman Reelected As LOC Guild Prez; Dobson Named NCRP Field Director
Schniderman Reelected As LOC Guild Prez: Long-time labor activist Saul Schniderman (r) overwhelmingly won re-election as President of the Library of Congress Professional Guild (AFSCME 2910), taking over 78% of the vote in a two-way race with Sandra Ware. Schniderman's goals for 2010 include...
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Jun 2, 2010Free June Calendar Download
The June calendar from activist artist Ricardo Levins Morales is available now for free download . Check out Morales’ site for his other artwork, including posters and cards.
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Jun 1, 2010Daycon Strikers Vindicated By NLRB Decision
As the semi-trailer jostled its way across the picket line early Friday morning, dozens of striking Daycon workers furiously bellowed “Scab!” at the driver. While the Teamsters Local 639 members – who have been on strike since April 26 – are frustrated with the company’s decision to...
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Jun 1, 2010DC Nurses/Public Safety Unions Endorse Vince Gray For Mayor
The District of Columbia Nurses Association (DCNA) announced late last week that the union – which represents about 2000 metro-area registered nurses and other health care professionals – has endorsed the Mayoral candidacy of DC Council Chairman Vince Gray (r). “Vincent Gray has a track...
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May 28, 2010WHC Nurses Enter Third Short-Term Contract Extension
Negotiations are “still bogged down” for the 1,600 registered nurses fighting for a new contract at the Washington Hospital Center, Stephen Frum of Nurses United of the National Capital Area said Wednesday. “While our nurses are on their third short-term contract extension, Nurses United...
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May 28, 2010Labor On The Move: Teresa Ball Retires From Working America
“After more than 13 years of service, Teresa Ball is retiring!” reports the AFL-CIO. A longtime activist for working men and women, Ball (right, with AFL-CIO President Rich Trumka) has served as the Assistant Director of the AFL-CIO’s community affiliate Working America since July 2004...
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May 28, 2010Labor Quote Quiz
"We are not trying to divide the labor movement, we are trying to rebuild it." Who said it? Former Teamsters President Jimmy Hoffa, Walter Reuther or former SEIU President Andy Stern? Click here to vote and you could be next week’s winner! Lucille Dula is this week’s winner,...
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May 27, 2010"I'll Be There Awards" Ad Deadline Extended
The deadline to submit ads in this year’s “I’ll Be There Awards” program book has been extended to June 1. Proceeds from the annual awards ceremony – now in its eighth year – benefit DC Jobs with Justice (DC JwJ), a coalition of 40 local labor, community, faith and student...
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May 27, 2010Labor On The Move: Barbara Kraft Named FLRA Regional Director
Barbara Kraft (r) – who with her firm has been AFSCME Council 26’s attorney for many years – was recently appointed Regional Director of the Federal Labor Relations Authority’s (FLRA) Washington Region. “Barbara has been a tireless worker advocate and provided invaluable...
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May 27, 2010Tweeting The Path To Solidarity
Don’t be the last to hear about area labor job postings and events! Join over 350 activists who get the very latest local labor updates by following dclabor on Twitter. Got labor news? Tweet us! Click here to sign up free today! To get the tweets as text messages, make sure you set...
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May 26, 2010Labor Film Poster Exhibit Now At National Labor College
The terrific "Working Class Heroes" exhibit of labor film posters and stills originally at the AFL-CIO has been acquired by the DC Labor FilmFest - thanks to a generous contribution by labor attorney Jules Bernstein - and is now on view at the National Labor College's Lane Kirkland Center. The...
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May 26, 2010Getting Workers' Views & Voices On The Air
If there are worker or union issues you’d like to see covered on WPFW, plan to attend the community-based radio station’s upcoming Town Hall Meeting on Saturday, June 5. The town hall – which runs from 1-3:30p at All Souls Church, 2835 16th Street, NW -- is an opportunity for listeners...
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May 25, 2010MontCo School Employees Dodge Furloughs
Employees of Montgomery County’s Public Schools (MCPS) can breathe easy after last Wednesday’s announcement that an agreement has been made with the County Executive and County Council to avoid furloughs in the 2010-11 school year budget. "As difficult as this budget crisis is, it appears...
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May 25, 2010"Raise Taxes, Save The Safety Net" Say District Activists
As the DC City Council meets over the coming days to reconcile the District’s budget, community activists are calling on people to act urgently to save “safety net” social services from being cut. "The reality is we can't save these public services and jobs without generating new...
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May 25, 2010Coffee-Drinkers Of The World, Unite!
If you want to cut down on mistakes by workers, some researchers are suggesting it couldn’t hurt to supply free coffee – especially for night time or “shift’ workers. Researchers at the London School of Hygiene and Topical Medicine found that workers who consumed caffeine had better...
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May 24, 2010"I'll Be There Awards" Honorees Announced
Former American Rights at Work Director Mary Beth Maxwell, ACLU Executive Director Johnny Barnes, The Justice at Wings Campaign and Fair Budget Coalition's Kristi Matthews will be this year's awardees for the 2010 DC Jobs with Justice "I’ll Be There Awards." The annual awards ceremony - set...
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May 24, 2010District Government Urged To "Stop Wasting Tax Dollars On Law-Breaking Contractors"
Charging that Mayor Fenty and the DC City Council "have paid millions of tax dollars to law-breaking security contractors that violate federal labor laws," local unions – spearheaded by SEIU Local 32BJ – are calling for people to send a message to the Mayor and the Council telling...
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May 24, 2010Daycon Strikers Garner Support From Nurses United Prez
The President of Nurses United, Dottie Hararas (center), walked the picket line with striking Daycon workers last Monday, encouraging the Teamsters 639 members to "stay strong, be patient and hang in there for just one day longer than management." Hararas made a personal contribution of $500...
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May 24, 2010May Council Minutes Now Online
Draft minutes from the May Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO Executive Board and Delegate meetings are now available for download on the Metro Council's website . Mark your calendars for next month's meeting on Monday, June 21 at 6:30P; watch Union City for further details.
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May 24, 2010Labor Quote Quiz
"The best social program is a good job." Who said it? Bill Clinton, Eugene V. Debs, or former AFL-CIO President John Sweeney? Click here to vote now and you could be next week’s winner. The Labor Quote Quiz is a Union City- Union Communication Services collaboration.
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May 21, 20102010 Political Endorsements Timeline Updated & Online
The timeline for the Metro Washington Council, AFL-CIO’s 2010 DC and Maryland political endorsement process has been updated and is now available online. Click here to view the complete schedule, including questionnaires, interviews and endorsement votes. For more information, or to...
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May 21, 2010Setting The Stage For US Social Forum
In preparation for this year’s US Social Forum – set for June 22 through 26 – over 120 labor activists, organizers and community leaders gathered last weekend at the Greater DC People’s Assembly to “develop a people’s agenda for a more just Metropolitan area,” reports DC...
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May 21, 2010Nats Tickets Still Available
Don’t miss out on this year’s annual Labor Night at the Nats, scheduled for Friday, July 9. “Tickets are still available, however they’re going fast!” reports Community Services Agency Executive Director Kathleen McKirchy. The family event benefits the CSA’s Emergency Assistance...
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May 21, 2010AFL-CIO "Next Up" Young Workers Summit Fast Approaching
In less than three weeks, hundreds of young labor activists and union workers are coming to Washington for the first national “Next Up” Young Workers Summit hosted by the AFL-CIO. Scheduled for June 10 through 13, young labor leaders and activists will have an opportunity to “share...
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May 21, 2010Labor Quote Quiz
Tim Fitzgerald is this week’s Labor Quote Quiz winner; Tim knew that it was American philosopher and educator John Dewey (r) who said "No system has ever existed which did not in some form involve the exploitation of some human beings for the advantage of others.” - photo courtesy...
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May 20, 2010Mexican Prez Gets Chilly Reception At Mineworker Protest
At the White House, preparations were underway to host a gilt-edged state dinner for Mexican President Felipe Calderon. A few blocks away, over a hundred union members and labor rights activists rallied in front of the Mexican Embassy, condemning Calderon's repression of labor unions in...
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May 20, 2010Area Residents Rebuild Their Communities
Larae King-Day’s message to his fellow graduates of the Building Futures Program was simple, direct and powerful: “Get out, give back and rebuild our communities.” King-Day, a lifelong Ward 8 resident, was the valedictorian for Tuesday’s class of 25 graduates of the General Services...
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May 19, 2010Recruiting Union Retirees
Union retirees are one of the metro area’s greatest assets, with commitment to our movement bred in careers battling for justice and a level of activism that belies their age. The National Capital Area Union Retiree Club (NCAURC) is a great way for any area union retiree to stay active and...
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May 19, 2010Solidarity Highlights May Council Meeting
Monday night’s May Metro Council Delegate’s Meeting featured first-hand reports from the striking Teamsters at Daycon and the nurses negotiating for a fair contract at the Washington Hospital Center. The nurses – members of Nurses United of the National Capital Area – demonstrated...
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May 18, 2010Bank Demo Shuts Down K Street
Chanting "This is what democracy looks like," several thousand demonstrators shut down K Street Monday shortly after noon at the “K Street Showdown.” Fending off a persistent cold drizzle and impatient cops, the crowd rallied around a 40-foot bank lobbyist puppet and a huge banner reading...
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May 18, 2010Metro Council Endorses Gray For DC Mayor
Calling him “A leader of, by and for the people," the Metro Washington Council AFL-CIO last night unanimously voted to endorse DC City Council Chairman Vince Gray’s candidacy for the mayor of the District of Columbia. "In the challenging times that lie ahead, Vince's broad vision and deep...
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May 18, 2010Insulators 24 Re-Launches Website
Insulators Local 24 has re-launched the local's website with a spiffed-up and easy-to-use look and feel. From upcoming events and trainings to green contractors, current and past editions of the local's newsletter and photo galleries, members and non-members alike will find something...
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May 18, 2010Rallying To Save DC's Safety Net
Activists will rally tomorrow morning at 8:30a at DC City Hall to protect city services from threatened budget cuts. Despite recent moves away from Mayor Fenty's proposals to cut services and impose fees, "there are still huge cuts to essential services like job training, disability...
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May 17, 2010Showdown On K Street Today!
They just don’t get it. Banks and their lobbyists pocketed hundreds of billions in taxpayer funds and promptly turned around and spent millions lobbying against solutions to the crisis they created. Join us today at the "Showdown on K Street" (11:45a at MacPherson Square, Vermont...
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May 17, 2010Yes You "Can" At Metro Council Delegate Meeting
Please bring a canned good or other non-perishable food item for the Daycon strikers to tonight’s Metropolitan Washington Council delegate meeting , where we’ll have updates on the ongoing Teamsters strike at Daycon, the nurse's contract negotiations at Washington Hospital Center, a vote...
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May 17, 2010JUFJ's Thinking Jewishly: Time for Bold Leadership in DC
At last month’s Labor Seder, DC Council Chairman Vincent Gray (r) pledged to help preserve the city’s safety net. Now it's time for him to deliver on his promises! Chairman Gray has a long history of supporting DC's safety net and we’re working to convince him – and other key...
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May 17, 2010Food Drive Nets A Billion Pounds
The National Association of Letter Carriers announced last week that preliminary reports on this year’s national “Stamp Out Hunger” Food Drive May 8 – supported by metro-area NALC branches -- have pushed total donations to more than one billion pounds since the drive began 18 years...
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May 17, 2010Labor Quote Quiz
"No system has ever existed which did not in some form involve the exploitation of some human beings for the advantage of others.” Who said it? Samuel Gompers, John Dewey, Frederick Douglass or Helen Keller? Click here to vote now and you could be a winner!
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May 14, 2010From Wall Street To K Street
Following on the heels of the massive April 29 mobilization on Wall Street, thousands of union and community activists are expected for Monday’s "Showdown on K Street" targeting banks and their lobbyists. "The fat cats on K Street have been skulking in the shadows for too...
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May 14, 2010Saturday Gathering To Develop "People's Agenda"
“One of the things that has to be faced is the process of waiting to change the system, how much we have got to do to find out who we are, where we have come from and where we are going.” Community organizer and civil rights leader Ella Baker’s words ring true for the hundred of...
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May 14, 2010MontCo Residents And Workers Oppose Cuts
Cards from nearly 5,000 Montgomery County residents demanding “Save Our Services” were presented to County Council President Nancy Floreen and Councilmember Valerie Ervin yesterday. “I work overnight in the schools,” said Montgomery County public schools maintenance employee Hasty...
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May 14, 2010Metro Council Delegate Meeting Monday
Don’t miss Monday’s Metropolitan Washington Council delegate meeting , jam-packed with the latest updates on the local labor movement. Reports on the ongoing Teamsters strike at Daycon (please bring non-perishable food items to the meeting and we'll get them to the strikers!), contract...
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May 14, 2010Free Seats Available For Massey Protest
There are still free seats available for Tuesday’s bus to Richmond to protest Massey Energy’s shareholder meeting . Email ammorris@aflcio.org or call 202-637-5355. Massey owns the Upper Big Branch Mine in West Virginia where an April 5 explosion killed 29 coal miners. The bus will leave...
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May 14, 2010Advocates Say Council Balancing Budget "On The Backs Of Injured Workers"
The workers’ compensation program for DC government employees has been fraught with problems for decades, often driving middle-class injured workers into poverty. But in recent years, injured government workers have made some significant gains, due largely to the work of the Injured Workers...
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May 14, 2010Labor Quote Quiz
Cindy Boccucci is this week’s Labor Quote Quiz winner; she knew that it was prize-winning author and radio broadcast personality Studs Terkel (r) who said that “The key issue is jobs. You can’t get away from it: jobs. Having a buck or two in your pocket and feeling like somebody.” And...
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May 13, 2010"Showdown On K Street" Set For Monday
Thousands of union members and area activists plan to converge on K street in downtown DC on Monday for a “Showdown on K Street” organized by the AFL-CIO, National People’s Action, Jobs with Justice and SEIU. “The big banks and other reckless corporations have hijacked our democracy,...
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May 13, 2010Feeding Solidarity At Daycon Strike
With the strike at Daycon now in its third week, solidarity on the picketline remains strong even as economic hard times take their toll. “You’ve got to take a stand somewhere,” Victor Scurry said Tuesday as gray skies threatened the Teamsters 639 picketline circling under the watchful...
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May 13, 2010Nurses Rally On Capitol Hill For Patient Safety Laws
To the trumpet blare of "When The Saints Go Marching In," a thousand-strong sea of red-shirted nurses converged on Capitol Hill yesterday morning to press Congress for landmark patient safety legislation. Wearing t-shirts proclaiming "Save one life you're a hero - save a hundred lives and...
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May 12, 2010Nurses Unite For Contract At Washington Hospital Center
Chanting "Nurses united will never be defeated," nearly 2,000 registered nurses and their supporters massed in front of the Washington Hospital Center last night in an impressive show of strength and solidarity. The ranks of the members of Nurses United of the National Capital Area -- the...
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May 12, 2010Pastors Urge Daycon To Return To Table
A trio of local pastors met with Daycon management Tuesday to urge a speedy return to the bargaining table to resolve the 2-week-old strike against the local cleaning supplies company. After meeting - and praying (r) - with the striking members of Teamsters 639 picketing outside the company's...
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May 12, 2010On The Road To Richmond For Workers Rights
Charging that mining company Massey Energy - which owns the Upper Big Branch Mine in West Virginia where an April 5 explosion killed 29 coal miners - needs to be held accountable, the AFL-CIO is providing a bus for local labor activists to protest the company's shareholder meeting in Richmond,...
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May 12, 2010Setting A "People's Agenda" For DC
Hundreds of area social justice activists and leaders will gather on Saturday May 15th for the Greater DC People's Assembly. The Assembly, which will feature MWC President Jos Williams and ACLU-DC Director Johnny Barnes among others, is an opportunity to connect with people from across the...
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May 11, 2010Teamsters, Whistleblowers & Nurses Tripleheader Today
Area labor activists are set to heat things up today with three separate events across metro Washington. Start the day with an ecumenical prayer service at Daycon at 10A as local faith leaders call on the cleaning supplies firm to return to the bargaining table with Teamsters Local 639...
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May 11, 2010Union Summer Returns
Attention students with a strong commitment to social and economic justice: the AFL-CIO’s Union Summer internship program is returning for 2010! The ten-week educational internship introduces participants to the labor movement and runs from June 7th through August 13th in five...
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May 11, 2010Teacher Fired For Organizing Donates Settlement To DC JwJ
Last month David Krakow (r), a former history teacher at the Cesar Chavez charter school, reached a settlement with his former employer, which fired him last year shortly after he began organizing with his co-workers ( Teacher Exposes Union-Busting at Cesar Chavez HS 4/15 UC ). Krakow...
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May 10, 2010From DC To Minnesota, Nurses Picket, Rally And Threaten Walk-Out
National Nurses Week kicks off with an informational picket tomorrow at 5p by nurses at the Washington Hospital Center, whose contract expires at midnight tonight. The nurses - represented by Nurses United of the National Capital Area -- are protesting to demand better staffing levels and...
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May 10, 2010Faith Leaders To Weigh In On Daycon Strike
Area religious leaders will conduct an ecumenical prayer service at Daycon on Tuesday morning to call on the cleaning supplies firm to return to the bargaining table with Teamsters Local 639 "and bargain in good faith with the more than 50 company employees that were forced out on...
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May 10, 2010Timely Forum On Whistleblowers
With the news dominated by recent workplace accidents in Montcoal, West Virginia, the Tesaro Refinery explosion in Washington State and BP's Deepwater oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico, it's a good time to examine the role of whistleblowers on the job. At a special forum hosted by Professionals...
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May 7, 2010Candidate Questionnaires Posted
Labor questionnaires completed by candidates for DC City Council, DC Council Chair and Prince George’s County Council are now available online for review. Click here and check the links below 2010 Candidate Questionnaires.
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May 7, 2010Food Drive Tomorrow
Remember to leave your non-perishable donations next to your mailbox tomorrow as metro-area letter carriers conduct their annual food drive. The food drive to “stamp out hunger” is held in over 10,000 cities and towns in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam....
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May 7, 2010Daycon Strike Enters Twelfth Day
As the strike by 55 Teamsters entered its 12th day today, area activists are planning to show their solidarity by walking the picket line with the Daycon workers over the weekend and into next week. Click here for more information, including location details and the best times to walk...
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May 7, 2010JUFJ's "Thinking Jewishly": Responding To The BP Oil Spill In The Gulf
Though our work focuses on the DC area, our thoughts are with the people of the Gulf Coast, many of whom are still rebuilding from the Hurricane Katrina disaster. If you're looking for a way to help the communities where livelihoods are threatened by the BP oil spill, we encourage you to...
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May 7, 2010Labor Quote Quiz
"The key issue is jobs. You can't get away from it: jobs. Having a buck or two in your pocket and feeling like somebody." Who said it? George Meany, Edward Kennedy or Studs Terkel? Click here to vote and you could be next week's winner! Cecily Patterson is this week's winner, correctly...
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May 6, 20105 Councilmembers Join Opposition To Fenty Budget Cuts
Five DC Councilmembers yesterday added their voices to those of demonstrators opposing Mayor Fenty’s DC budget cuts. Councilmembers Michael Brown (at left), Kwame Brown, Harry Thomas (at right), Jim Graham (center) and Tommy Wells spoke at Wednesday’s rally outside the DC City...
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May 6, 2010DC Council Unites Against Arizona-Like Program
Saying that DC’s “Secure Communities” program actually “makes the public less safe by creating fear and mistrust of the police and undermining community policing,” DC Councilmember Phil Mendelson on Tuesday introduced legislation to prohibit DC police from sharing arrest and booking...
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May 6, 2010Daycon Customers Urged To Support Strikers
The campaign to support striking Daycon workers ratcheted up several notches yesterday as the Metro Washington Council called on major customers to “ask Daycon to return to the bargaining table and negotiate a fair settlement in good faith with its workers.” Meanwhile, Council President...
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May 6, 2010Washington Hospital Center Nurses Protecting Patient Care
Weeks of bargaining between Nurses United of the National Capital Area and the Washington Hospital Center have failed to remedy staffing and other concerns that staff nurses cite as critical to quality patient care. “Under the Washington Hospital Center's new management team, there seems to...
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May 6, 2010Food Drive This Saturday
Metro-area letter carriers will join the nations largest food drive to “stamp out hunger” this Saturday, May 8. Non-perishable donations will be collected from homes by letter carriers as they deliver mail along their postal routes on Saturday. “Food banks, pantries and shelters need our...
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May 6, 2010Metro Council Suspends Montgomery County Candidate Interviews
After the Montgomery County Council on Tuesday unanimously declared its intent to break the County’s contracts with public employee unions, freeze pay and end benefits, Metro Washington Council President Jos Williams yesterday suspended the Council’s Montgomery County candidate endorsement...
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May 5, 2010UFCW 400 Walks The Line With Daycon Strikers
Their brilliant gold union shirts glowing in the afternoon sunshine, dozens of UFCW Local 400 leaders and staff -- led by new President Tom McNutt Jr. -- joined the Teamsters picketline at Daycon in Upper Marlboro yesterday. "This is what we do for each other," McNutt -- flanked by Local 400...
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May 5, 2010Barnes To Sing At Night At The Nats Again
“Labor's Diva” Renee Barnes is back by popular demand. The OPEIU Local 2 member who works at AFSCME International will once again perform the National Anthem at the 4th annual Labor Night At The Nats on July 9. Tickets are just $10 each, with proceeds benefiting CSA's emergency...
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May 5, 2010May Social History Calendar Available
This month’s social justice calendar from Ricardo Levins Morales is now available for download and focuses on the effects of misguided budget priorities. As usual, the calendar also includes important dates in movement history.
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May 4, 2010McKirchy & Felder Honored By DC CLUW
The DC Chapter of the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) honored Kathleen McKirchy (r) and Tamika Felder for their "outstanding contributions to women and labor" Sunday at the annual Gloria Johnson awards luncheon at the AFL-CIO. McKirchy was recognized for her work as the Executive...
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May 4, 2010Letter Carriers Set To "Stamp Out Hunger"
Donations from this year’s National Association of Letter Carriers annual food drive – which is set for Saturday, May 8 – are expected to push the overall total since the drive began 18 years ago to over 1 billion pounds. “On that day, letter carriers will collect non-perishable...
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May 4, 2010Labor On The Move: Obama Names Two Union Specialists To Job Safety Panel
Democratic President Barack Obama named two union job safety and health specialists to a Labor Department committee on workplace safety. The unionists on the National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health are Peg Seminario (r), longtime director of the AFL-CIO's Occupational...
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May 3, 2010NBC-Universal "Unfair To Labor"
As elected officials and the “who’s who” of political commentators drove through the gates of NBC-Universal (NBCU/WRC-TV4) to appear on “Meet The Press” at sunrise yesterday, dozens of members and staff of the National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians (NABET-CWA)...
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May 3, 2010Walking The Line At Daycon
The strike by 55 Teamsters at Daycon entered its fifth day on Friday with a show of solidarity from area labor, including UFCW Local 400, the Washington Building and Construction Trades Council, the Newspaper Guild, the Bricklayers, OPEIU, American Income Life, and the Community Services...
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May 3, 2010State Fed Endorses O'Malley, Edwards, Franchot & Gansler
Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley and District 4 Congresswoman Donna Edwards were among those endorsed Saturday at the State AFL-CIO’s May Day Labor 2010 Kick Off at the National Labor College. Also receiving the State Fed’s nod were Comptroller Peter Franchot and Attorney General Doug...
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May 3, 2010Local UFCW Members Support Strikers In Massachusetts
Workers at area Shoppers Food & Pharmacy stores are supporting a strike by fellow union members in Methuen, Massachusetts. Three hundred members of UFCW Local 791 who work at the Supervalu-owned Shaw's Distribution Center in Methuen were forced to strike on March 7 to protect their jobs...
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Apr 30, 2010Striking Ironworkers Highlight Workers Memorial Day Observance
"One day longer, we will be there one day longer, till victory come," Metro Washington Council president Jos Williams vowed to a packed room at Wednesday Morning’s Labor Council for Latin American Advancement's (LCLAA) Workers Memorial Day commemoration. “A victory for the strikers at...
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Apr 30, 2010Support Striking Daycon Workers Today!
Walk the line with striking Daycon workers this morning! The workers - members of Teamsters 639 - have been on strike against the local cleaning supplies company since Monday, with no end in sight. "We're fighting for equal pay for equal work," says Daycon driver Eugene Brown. Daycon's...
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Apr 30, 2010MD/DC AFL-CIO May Day Labor 2010 Kick Off
Labor leaders, elected officials and endorsed candidates will gather tomorrow at the National Labor College for the Maryland State and District of Columbia AFL-CIO Labor 2010 Kick Off at 12 noon. “Bring your family, friends and children and just make it an afternoon of fun!” says...
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Apr 30, 2010Political Endorsements Timeline Now Online
From questionnaires to interviews and endorsement votes, the complete schedule for the Metro Washington Council, AFL-CIO's 2010 DC and Maryland endorsement process is now available online . To get involved with the Metro Council's Committee on Political Education (COPE), please email...
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Apr 30, 2010JUFJ's "Thinking Jewishly": Protest!
In that great Jewish and Labor tradition: protest! Two important rallies are coming up. First, if your Shabbat observance permits it, join the May 1st rally on Saturday for immigration reform, at 2p in front of the White House. Help us bring the American dream to all families! Then, on...
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Apr 29, 2010On The Road At The Daycon Strike
When the strikebreaker pulls the Daycon truck into WaWa's to ask for directions, Eugene Brown shakes his head in disgust. "He's lost," Brown says. "Doesn't know where he's going," agrees Howard Robinson. The two Teamsters are tracking the truck for an ambulatory picket in Local 639's strike...
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Apr 29, 2010Remembering Fallen Workers
The clear, lonely toll of the bell rang out across the newly-laid sod at the National Worker’s Memorial Wednesday afternoon as the names of 187 workers killed on the job rang out. Josh Osbourne…Andrew Reed…Curtis Fowler, Debbie Byrd, Ray Gonzalez. “We just come to work here, we don’t...
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Apr 29, 2010Deadline Looms For Labor FilmFest Earlybird Discount
Reserve your ad in the popular FilmFest Program Guide by May 1 and get a 20% Earlybird Discount AND a free 2009 FilmFest t-shirt, a collector’s item not available for sale. Help celebrate the 10th annual DC Labor FilmFest and save money! Click here to download the FilmFest Rate Sheet.
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Apr 28, 2010On The Line At The Daycon Strike
“Truck!” comes the call. “Truck coming through!” A dozen striking Teamsters converge as the Daycon truck reluctantly slows and stops at the entrance to company’s Upper Marlboro plant. While a couple of the strikers taunt the driver inside, the others note the truck’s number, which...
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Apr 28, 2010"No More Arizonas" Say DC Rights Activists
Condemning Arizona’s passage last week of the “Secure Communities” program as “racist and perverse,” dozens of labor, community and immigrant rights activists spoke out forcefully yesterday about the dangers of collaboration between local police and Immigration and Customs...
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Apr 28, 2010Transit Workers Call On Congress For Increased Funding
Hundreds of transit workers massed on Capitol Hill yesterday to demand federal help for cash-starved transit systems across the country. The members of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) came from as near Washington and Baltimore and as far away as Boston, Chicago, New York City and Atlanta...
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Apr 28, 2010Workers' Memorial Day: National Labor College Honors Fallen Workers
The National Labor College will observe Workers’ Memorial Day today by honoring the victims of the mining tragedy in Montcoal, West Virginia and the Tesaro Refinery explosion in Washington State, along with hundreds of other workers who have lost their lives on the job. The ceremony...
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Apr 28, 2010Free Tickets For "Casino Jack" Premiere Thursday
Although Jack Abramoff is the focus of CASINO JACK and the United States of Money, the corruptive role of money in politics is the real subject of filmmaker Alex Gibney’s new film. The DC Labor FilmFest has a limited number of passes to Casino Jack’s premiere this Thursday, April 29: email...
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Apr 27, 2010Daycon Workers Strike
Fifty-five workers struck Daycon Products Monday morning after contract talks with the cleaning and maintenance supplies company broke down last Thursday. "The company basically told us to take it or leave it," said Teamsters Business Agent Doug Webber, "and then they went ahead and...
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Apr 27, 2010Striking Iron Workers Honored
Strikers at Wings Enterprises will be the focus of a Workers' Memorial Day commemoration Wednesday morning . The Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LACLAA) will honor striking iron workers who walked out six months ago. “Iron reinforcement is heavy, dangerous work,” says...
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Apr 27, 2010Food Drive "Critical" For Struggling Families
“Food banks, pantries and shelters need our help more than ever this year,” says National Association of Letter Carriers President Fredric Rolando, noting that the NALC’s annual food drive to “stamp out hunger”– which is set for Saturday, May 8 – is fast approaching. “Millions...
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Apr 26, 2010Acuff Hits Road For "Getting America Back To Work"
If you didn’t know he has a new job, you’d think Stewart Acuff (r) was still out on the labor hustings, exhorting organizers to give their all. Not quite. Instead, the longtime AFL-CIO Director of Organizing – and former President of the Atlanta Labor Council -- now the chief of...
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Apr 26, 2010Shuler To Honor Fallen Workers On Workers Memorial Day
AFL-CIO Secretary Treasurer Liz Shuler will join workers, union leaders and elected officials to commemorate Workers Memorial Day this Wednesday at a ceremony hosted by the National Labor College. The ceremony will “honor victims of the mining tragedy in Montcoal, West Virginia and...
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Apr 26, 2010Acuff Hits Road For "Getting America Back To Work"
If you didn’t know he has a new job, you’d think Stewart Acuff (r) was still out on the labor hustings, exhorting organizers to give their all. Not quite. Instead, the longtime AFL-CIO Director of Organizing – and former President of the Atlanta Labor Council -- now the chief of...
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Apr 23, 2010April Council Minutes Now Online
Draft minutes from the April Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO Executive Board and Delegate meetings are now available for download on the Metro Council's website . Mark your calendars for next month's meeting on Monday, May 17 at 6:30P; watch Union City for further...
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Apr 23, 2010Labor Ministers Trade Job-Creation Ideas, But No Enforcement
Labor ministers from the world's 20 largest economies sent five principles for creating jobs and re-crafting the world economy to their nations' presidents and prime ministers. But those ideas won't be considered by the top brass for another two months -- and there's no way to enforce...
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Apr 23, 2010JUFJ's "Thinking Jewishly": 7 Weeks For Reflection & Action
The omer is the seven-week period of time between Passover and Shavuot, when Jews celebrate the giving of the Torah, the books of Jewish scriptures and other sacred Jewish writings. There is a custom of counting each of these 49 days, and of using the entire period for spiritual reflection....
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Apr 23, 2010Labor Profile: Sandra Falwell, DCNA/NNU
Sandra Falwell (r), National Nurses United Vice President, past President and Vice- President at the DC Nurses Association (DCNA) and a member of the Metro Council's Executive Board -- knew from a young age that nursing was her calling. "When I was growing up, there were really only two...
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Apr 22, 2010Teamsters May Strike Daycon
With negotiations bogged down after more than four months at the table – and two months after their previous contract expired -- workers at Daycon Products may walk off the job if there’s no significant movement soon. The workers, members of Teamsters Local 639, “have drawn a line,”...
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Apr 22, 2010Transit Workers See Red
Resplendent in their bright red union t-shirts, “plenty of ATU members” turned out at Tuesday night’s “Rally To Resurrect Mass Transit” along with a strong showing by members of the Partnership for Renewal In Southern & Central Maryland (PRISCM) and joined by transit advocacy...
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Apr 22, 2010More On Shift Break & Anti-Slapp Labor Wins
For an excellent report on two key labor bills -- shift break and anti-SLAPP laws -- passed at this year’s Maryland General Assembly, check out UFCW Local 400’s website . “The shift break bill is one of many examples of how the labor movement works to protect all workers’ rights,...
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Apr 22, 2010Labor On The Move: Masciolas AFTRA-Bound
Amy and Robert Masciola are taking positions with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) in early May. Amy, who’s currently International Campaigns Coordinator at the AFL-CIO’s Organizing Department, will be AFTRA’s Strategic Campaigns Coordinator, while Robert...
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Apr 22, 2010Labor Quote Quiz
"Centrism is bogus" Who said it? Quiz favorite Gene Debs probably said something like that, but wouldn’t have used the word “bogus,” so was it David Bonior, Robert Reich, Frank Zappa or Cesar Chavez? Click here to vote: Winners will be chosen at random from those answering...
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